List of Methods of Torture - Instruments of Torture

Instruments of Torture

Note that the line between "torture method" and "torture device" is often blurred, particularly when a specifically named implement is but one component of a method. Also, many devices that can be used for torture have mainstream uses, completely unrelated to torture.

  • Boot
  • Brank
  • Brazen bull
  • Breaking wheel
  • Breast Ripper
  • Catapelta
  • Choke pear
  • Copper boot
  • Cattle prod
  • Electroshock weapon
  • Foot press
  • Heretic's fork
  • Instep borer
  • Iron chair
  • Iron Maiden
  • Jiá gùn
  • Judas Chair
  • Kia quen
  • Malay boot
  • Mancuerda
  • Parrilla
  • Pau de Arara
  • Pendulum (torture device)
  • Picana
  • Pillory
  • Rack
  • Scavenger's daughter
  • Scold's bridle
  • Stocks
  • Tablillas
  • Tasers
  • Tean zu
  • Thumbscrew
  • Tongue shredder
  • Tramp chair
  • Tucker telephone
  • Wooden horse
  • Zánzhǐ

While it may seem that a disproportionate number of tortures were applied to the feet, this is actually extremely logical. The intent of torture is to cause carefully controllable agony without endangering the prisoner's life. This is clearly accomplished by staying as far as possible from the brain and the vital (viz., abdominal) organs. The only body part that satisfies this twin criterion is the foot.

Read more about this topic:  List Of Methods Of Torture

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    —George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)

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    —Feodor Dostoyevsky (1821–1881)