Roman Torture Chamber, 1st Century BC
Entitled: Reatus diverse, acriterg July Cesaris imperatoris justitia torquet (A torture chamber in the reign of Julius Caesar). Eight men shackled in a dungeon; two others peer out a bar-covered window at the end of the room to converse with someone outside. There is not much information about the exact methods employed in Roman torture sessions. The artist took liberty in his interpretation as the strappado method is a medieval method. Romans did not use prisons as do we. The wealthy accused were kept under house arrest. The poor found justice swift and usually fatal. Actual prisons truly served as a holding place for those condemned to die. Occasionally one might be detained to await trial, but usually those awaiting trial were encouraged to go into voluntary exile. Engraving by Giorgio Ghisi, 16th century
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Cruel Cruelty Ghisi Giorgio Infamous Inhumane Inhumanity Method Notorious Persecute Persecuted Persecuting Persecution Punish Punishing Suffering Torturer Torturing
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