Excruciating 'breaking wheel' torture method was one of the worst ever used

As they say, there are only two guarantees in this life; death and taxes. But, while death is inevitably something we all face, how we go is more often than not left up to fate.

Most of us don't really like thinking about it, but if we could choose how we die, there's one Middle Age method we'd definitely be giving a wide birth.

It's no secret that they were a fan of some good ole' torture back in the day, but while we may be familiar with Iron Maidens or even less so of the 'Judas' Cradle', there's one lesser-known torture method that is arguably one of the worst ways to go.

Chris Hellier / Alamy Stock Photo

The breaking wheel, also known as the Wheel of Catherine or execution wheel, dates back to Europe, from antiquity to the Middle Ages, as a form of punishment for those found guilty of serious crimes, like murder or rape.

Those convicted would be taken to a public stage with a scaffold and tied to the floor.

The executioners would then present the wheel - usually the same as used on wooden carriages but with an iron rim - which would often be modified with an extending blade for maximum damage.

The wheel would then be dropped on the person over and over again, from the shins upwards, with the intention to cause as much damage and mutilation to them as possible, without yet causing actual death.

Truly horrific.

Once the person had passed away at the hands of the executioner, their body would be braided into another wooden spoked wheel, which would then be erected, much like a cross in a crucifixion.

And in a final act of brutality, a fire would be lit beneath the wheel.

Sandor Esik / Alamy Stock Photo

So, like we said earlier, if you had your choice on how to go, we're pretty sure this would be last on your list.

Luckily, this method began to disappear, with the last use of the wheel in France was 1788, although it did continue in other parts of Europe and South America until the 19th century.

This period of history was pretty well-known for their horrifically creative ways to torture someone.

The Brazen Bull was made in the 6th century BC by a Greek inventor, which was a hollow sculpture of a bull made out of bronze with a trapdoor fitted into it and a set of pipes near the mouth.

The idea behind it was that a person would be locked inside the Brazen Bull and have a fire lit beneath them, cooking them alive while the pipes transformed the sound of their agonising screams into bellowing bull noises.

However, the bull's creator actually ended up becoming its first victim.

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