>> |
Anonymous
This torture was known under different names and came in different designs . In the Roman Empire it was called "equileus " or "cavalettus" . The device had a rudimentary resemblance with a horse and had a sharp wedge-shaped upper part on which the victim was lowered .Heavy weights were then attached to the feet to increase the pressure . The inquisitioners refined these torture by using a pyramid-shaped construction , which caused even more pain to the tortured victim. Other names for this torture : "judas cradle" or "witch's cradle" in english , "veglia" in italian . It was intensively used at the court of the Popes in Rome and Avignon , where it was also called " the mirrors of Venice" : this torture was applied in a room whose walls were covered with mirrors to increase the victims despair as they could see themselves writhing in pain .
|