Top 10 Gruesome Deaths That Will Make You Nauseate

There isn’t really a nice way to die. But that doesn’t mean some deaths aren’t more disgusting than others. And looking back in time, people have found some very creative and sickening ways to end someone’s life. Today we delve into the shadowy depths of history to discover ten breathtaking, gruesome deaths that will make you sick to your stomach. Ready to turn the dark pages of our past?

Related: 10 Ways a Kitchen Can Hurt You More Than a Torture Chamber

10 Vlad the Impaler’s Reign of Terror

Vlad the Impaler, the 15th-century ruler of Wallachia, deserves a place on our list of gruesome deaths that will turn your stomach. Known for his sadistic flair, Vlad perfected the art of impaling his enemies. The impaling took place on long, sharp poles, which earned him his infamous nickname.

His preferred method of execution was as brutal as could be, often leaving the victims writhing in pain for hours. Legend has it that he even dined among impaled corpses, adding a sinister touch to his reputation.

Historical records suggest that Vlad’s penchant for impaling went beyond military strategy and extended to punishing enemies and criminals. The stories of his cruelty inspired those of Bram Stoker Draculacreating a link between the real ruler and the fictional vampire.

Vlad’s reign of terror came to a gruesome end when he was murdered in 1476, leaving a legacy of horror that still haunts history.

9 The Brazen Bull’s Roast party

Perillos was a mad genius from ancient Greece. He earned his creepy place in history by inventing the Brazen Bull, a horrifying device designed to turn death into an art form. Created in the 6th century BC for the tyrant Phalaris of Akragas, this device was the epitome of torture.

The copper bull was a hollow bronze bull statue with a door on one side. The victims were placed inside and a fire was lit underneath. As the unfortunate souls roasted alive, their screams echoed through specially designed pipes, turning the pain into a morbid symphony for the spectators.

Ironically, Phalaris was unimpressed and decided to test Perillos’ creation on him. The inventor narrowly escaped his invention. The brutal bull is a terrifying testament to human cruelty and reminds us that the horrors of history often surpass the darkest fantasies of fiction.

8 Sawney Bean and the Cannibal Clan

In the 16th century, Sawney Bean, along with his equally sinister family/clan of 45, terrorized the coastal roads of Galloway. Here they preyed on unsuspecting travelers. They lived in a hidden cave and lured victims to their lair, killing and feasting on their flesh. It is said that the clan has fed more than 1,000 travelers over the past 25 years. Authorities were stunned when they finally discovered the Bean family’s gruesome activities.

Sawney Bean and his clan met their end in a brutal execution, receiving the punishment they so desperately deserved. The shockingly dark details of Sawney Bean’s crimes have cemented his place in history as one of Scotland’s most infamous figures. He and his family offer a glimpse into the dark side of humanity.

7 The Blood Eagle: Viking style killing

If you’re ready for a gruesome journey through the dark annals of history, get ready for a wild ride. Enter the Vikings and their infamous blood eagle ritual. The blood eagle, which landed at number seven on our list, was an execution method reserved for the most heinous of offenders.

Imagine the victim’s back being cut open. Then the ribs are pulled apart to resemble bloody wings, and the lungs are pulled out and placed on the victim’s shoulders. The Vikings believed that this brutal spectacle would send the condemned straight to the afterlife with Odin’s blessing. Historical accounts of the blood eagle are as chilling as they come, with tales of stoic victims enduring the pain to the bitter end.

6 The rat torture tango

Go back in time to an era where cruelty knew no bounds. The gruesome method known as European rat torture will send shivers down your spine. The practice involved strapping a cage filled with hungry rats to a person’s stomach. The cage was then set on fire as the rats desperately tried to escape; their only route was through the victim’s flesh. Yes, through the person’s body.

This torturous method had its roots in medieval Europe. It was often used to extract confessions or punish alleged offenders. Historical records reveal instances where this method was used during the Spanish Inquisition, adding a layer of horror to an already brutal period.

The victims were confronted not only with physical pain, but also with the psychological fear of impending doom. The European rat torture leaves us with a gruesome glimpse into the dark facets of our past.

5 The Breaking Wheel Ballet

Welcome to the medieval crushing wheel. The breaking wheel was a gruesome thing that found its place in history as an instrument of gruesome executions. Imagine a large wooden wheel that resembles a turned wagon wheel. Attached to the steering wheel were the convict’s limbs, spread out like a starfish. This instrument of torture was aimed not only at death, but also at long-lasting pain.

Here’s the brutal breakdown: The victim was tied to the wheel and as it turned, the bones were systematically crushed using iron bars or hammers. Shockingly, this method wasn’t just about causing pain and death. It was a public spectacle intended to sow fear. The executioners showed their craftsmanship and made sure that the suffering was both physical and psychological.

Historically, the breaking wheel was used throughout Europe from the Middle Ages well into the Renaissance. Its sheer brutality reveals the dark depths humanity once explored in the name of justice – or, more accurately, in the pursuit of fear and control.

4 The Iron Maiden’s Deadly Embrace

The Iron Maiden is a masterpiece in the tapestry of medieval torture devices. Imagine a grim, coffin-like structure decorated with menacing spikes on the inside, designed to embrace its victims in a deathly hug. Originating in the 18th century, this sickening device was reportedly used to bring about a slow and excruciating demise.

The iron maiden’s cold embrace was not just for show. When the unfortunate soul was trapped, the strategically placed spikes pierced vital organs, leading to a torturous and prolonged death. Although there is debate about its historical accuracy, some stories suggest that several European monarchs used it during the Spanish Inquisition and later.

Just the idea of ​​being trapped in this metal nightmare is enough to send shivers down your spine. The Iron Maiden remains a gruesome symbol of the human capacity for cruelty, making it a chilling addition to any list of gruesome deaths.

3 The Chinese Lingchi: Death by a thousand cuts

If you’re ready for a historical ride, prepare for the gruesome story of the Chinese lingchi. It is also known as ‘slow slicing’ or ‘death by a thousand cuts’. Imagine an execution method that is not only gruesome, but also meticulously lengthy. Lingchi was practiced in China until the early 20th century and involved systematically cutting off body parts over an extended period of time.

Victims would suffer a slow and painful death as executioners methodically removed limbs, piece by piece. This wasn’t just physical torment. It was psychological warfare on an unprecedented level. Historically, lingchi was reserved for heinous crimes. But the public nature of the execution was intended as a warning to others. However, its brutality often made spectators nauseous. In addition to the shock value, Lingchi was abolished as a punishment in 1905.

2 The hung, drawn and quartered spectacle

Few execution methods evoke as much fear as the infamous ‘hanging, drawing and quartering’ torture. This gruesome practice, practiced in medieval England for high treason, was a nightmarish spectacle.

First, the convicts were dragged through the streets, often behind a horse; hence the term ‘drawn’. They then stood in front of the noose, where the “hanging” part came into play. But the horror didn’t end there. The unfortunate soul would be cut down while still alive, subjected to the ultimate humiliation of dismantling and emasculation.

Here begins the “quartered” part, where the body is divided into four parts. These creepy passages were often prominently displayed as a warning to potential offenders. The trial was not only about punishment, but also about public terror. The Tower of London witnessed quite a few gory spectacles.

1 The deadly dance of the Spanish donkey

The Spanish donkey was a medieval instrument of torture. It earned its gruesome place in history as a nightmarish device designed to mercilessly torment victims. Imagine a wooden plank with sharp edges, resembling an easel, with a person sitting on it. The poor soul’s legs dangle on either side as weights are added, gradually increasing the pressure.

As the weight increases, the victim’s body is crushed, leading to excruciating pain and ultimately death. This painful method of torture was widely used during the Spanish Inquisition, a dark chapter of the 15th to 19th centuries. The Spanish donkey is notable not only for its sadistic efficiency, but also for the sheer horror it inflicted on those unfortunate enough to endure its wrath.