Torture Techniques

Torture

Torture is defined as the deliberate, systematic, and cruel infliction of physical or mental suffering to force another person to yield information or a confession. Torture has many uses including interrogation, punishment, and coercion. Ancient torture was used by the Greeks and Romans, but only limited to slaves. Confessions were only thought to be reliable if revealed through torture. Only after the second century A.D. was torture used on the lower classes. The most common form was crucifixion during this time period. A mass crucifixion occurred when slaves rebelled led by Spartacus in 70 B.C. A large army of slaves led by battle hardened gladiators sought to destroy the Roman Empire. At first, many victories were gained for the most experienced generals of Rome were in distant lands, but after rallying the legions, Crassus, a Roman general, was able to beat the slaves back. Crassus was questionably the wealthiest man in the Roman Empire, and possibly in the world's history. In order to ascertain the cooperation of the countless Roman slaves, Crassus had 6,000 slaves crucified along the road from Rome to Capua. This tactic was used to frighten the remaining slaves and keep them in their place under Roman rule. Possibly the most famous, or infamous use of crucifixion is the story of Jesus Christ. The Romans used the cross as a form of execution for Jesus, for they needed no information from him. Jesus was tried in the civil and ecclesiastical court of the time, by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, and the Jewish priests.

During Medieval Times torture was viewed as a legitimate way to enact justice. Many castles incorporated torture chambers, and these were used to obtain testimonies and confessions. Information about a crime, including accomplices, were usually forced out using torture techniques. The Dark Ages were especially known for their cruel and barbaric means of torture. The goal of the torturer(s) was to prolong life as long as possible. An unexpected death was considered a failure in the process. The horrors of torture were constantly being increased in order to keep its effectiveness, and different methods were used depending on the criminal's crime and social status. Dark Age torture methods ranged from beating, blinding, drowning, roasting, limb removal, and starvation. The devices and machines used were even more sinister than the techniques. The rack, Spanish boot, and the Maiden are just a few examples of tools utilized by the torturer. Torture for the Medieval Inquisition began in 1252 by a papal bull. Around this time, many religious movements were starting and they were all deemed as heretics. The papacy allowed for these methods to be used in order to suppress the heresy. The Franciscans and the Dominicans are two well known Catholic groups from this time period. The Dominicans are known for their cruelty during torture. Another cause that called for the use of torture was the great witch hunt. The witch craze came about from the fear of the devil. Puritans believe that witches do exist, and come about by selling themselves to Satan and denying God. Many factors led to the accusation of witches, but in the town of Salem including poor church attendance. Many methods of torture were not used to gain confessions, they were used to indicate divine intervention. One such process was the Ordeal by Fire. Before the ordeal, a three day religious rite was held. This included prayers, blessings, and exorcisms. The accused was forced to walk over hot coals for a predetermined distance. The injuries sustained were inspected three days after the incident. Open sores indicated guilt, but if the wounds were healed over all charges would be dropped. Another such method was the Ordeal by Water. The accused was tied at the hands and feet with a knot at the torso level. They were then lowered into water. The determining factor here was whether or not the knot was wet. Wet knots proved innocence, dry ones proved guilt. Both ordeals could be fixed, so these processes were rampant with corruption. For a price, the coals of the Ordeal of Fire could be cooled enough so no wounds would be inflicted.

The Abolishment of Torture and Modern Day Uses

Torture was never really opposed until condemed by the church in 866 A.D. Pope Nicholas I sent a letter to the Bulgarians describing his concern for victims of torture. At that time it was customary for the Bulgarians to use torture on any suspected criminal, and this letter didn't stop them from doing it. It not only went against divine law, but also human law and the judge of the innocent and guilty was sinning greatly. Confessions should be voluntary not forced, he reasoned, and also believed that many false confessions were obtained to stop the pain. Torture was never a big part of the English justice system and was abolished in 1640. It was utilized under a few circumstances, including extracting the names of the conspirators of the Gun Powder Plot. The only rack in the nation was located in the London Tower. The ideas of Enlightenment thinkers quickened the abolishment of torture. In many of his essays, Voltaire was strongly against the use of torture for any means. Many European states started outlawing torture in the 18th century starting with Sweden and Prussia, right around the time of the Enlightenment. On December 10, 1948 torture was officially banned by the United Nations General Assembly under the United Declaration of Human Rights. "Clean torture" is now being used by many modern day democracies. This form of torture leaves no marks, and comes from Anglo-Saxon roots. The CIA has roughly 6 authorized forms of torture. They include sleep deprivation, positional and restrain torture, and extremes of temperature and sound. One of the most well known and cruel techniques is 'water boarding'. A black sheet is placed over the victims head and water is poured onto the sheet. This makes it impossible to breathe, but afterwards has no lasting effects. Cold cells and sweat boxes are also utilized. Cold cells are rooms that are air conditioned to cold temperatures where one may stay for up to two weeks. Sweat boxes are usually only used for a couple hours so no permanent damage is done.

http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/middle-ages-torture.htm
http://www.shanmonster.com/witch/torture/index.html
http://www.historynet.com/ancient-history-spartacus-and-the-slave-rebellion.htm
http://www.slate.com/id/2213959/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture

http://www.abcgallery.com/Z/zurbaran/zurbaran24.html(crucifixion picture)

https://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/trouble/2009/04/01/waterboarding-its-not-just-for-torture-anymore/edia.org/wiki/Torture (waterboarding)