Poena Cullei

By Crusader1307

Another Ancient Roman method of execution, The ''Poena Cullei'' was particular grisly and suffering for it's Victims. Those who had been convicted of Patricide - the murder of one's Parent(s), were given this process as their method of execution. Although not reserved for Roman Citizens, some records indicated that a few were killed in this manner. A large leather sack (bag), large enough for at least two grown adults was produced. The Victim, who had his hand and feet bound, was place inside the sack. Into this bag, was placed an assortment of ''wild animals'' (from dogs, cats, roosters etc.) The entirety of which were then sealed. The bag was then thrown into water. Between the obvious fear of the animals drowning in a sack, and their scratching, gnawing and biting each other and The Victim, one would naturally ''pray to drown''. By the time of Emperor Constantine in the 3rd Century AD, Serpents were added. In fact some examples of Execution of this nature would be reported well into the 18th Century AD (Germany).