Breaking on a wheel, also known as the Catherine wheel or the breaking wheel, was a gruesome and torturous method of execution used in Europe from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. This brutal form of punishment was reserved for the most heinous criminals or individuals deemed as enemies of the state. The process involved securing the condemned person to a large wooden wheel or cartwheel-like structure, designed to expose the victim to prolonged agony and eventual death.
The breaking wheel was a particularly sadistic method of execution, as it aimed to maximize the suffering of the condemned. Once the person was firmly bound to the wheel, executioners would proceed to break their limbs systematically using various instruments such as hammers, iron bars, or wooden clubs. The limbs were often shattered in multiple places, causing excruciating pain and rendering the victim helpless.
The executioners strategically placed breaks along the victim's body, starting with the extremities. They would methodically strike the arms and legs, ensuring multiple fractures occurred with each blow. This deliberate and calculated process aimed to prolong the suffering of the condemned, as well as to demonstrate the power and authority of the ruling class.
After the limbs were shattered, the executioners would usually finish the punishment by delivering a final blow to the chest or neck of the victim. This brutal act would ultimately lead to the individual's death, either through severe trauma, internal bleeding, or shock.
The broken body of the condemned would then be left displayed on the wheel as a gruesome warning to others. The wheel, with the broken and lifeless body attached, might be mounted on a pole or displayed in a public space to serve as a deterrent to potential wrongdoers and reinforce the authority of the ruling power.
The practice of breaking on a wheel was widely used throughout Europe, but its popularity gradually declined during the 18th century as societies began to embrace more humane methods of punishment. This shift was influenced by the growing Enlightenment ideas and the emergence of human rights concepts.
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