Catapults as torture devices?

[richsc]

Finally rememebered to look this up. It is in "Tarzan Escapes". Jump to 1:15:30 in the film.

http://youtu.be/5-4JQUgMyLM

[Nathan Ross]

"Tarzan Escapes"

Funnily enough, the 'pulled apart by trees' execution was apparently known in the ancient world:

"...he alone among all commanders inflicted the following punishment on a soldier who had committed adultery with the wife of the man at whose house he was lodged: bending down the tops of two trees, he fastened them to the soldier's feet and then let them fly upward so suddenly that the man hung there torn in two — a penalty which inspired great terror in all." (Historia Augusta, Aurelian 7.3)

[richsc]

OW OW OW OW OW OW

that would do it.

Somehow, this should go on FB RAT.

[Renatus]

Funnily enough, the 'pulled apart by trees' execution was apparently known in the ancient world

For those with long memories or who have seen it more recently online (as I believe you can), something similar was supposed to happen in the 1948 film 'The Paleface', starring Bob Hope and Jane Russell. Fortunately, Bob Hope's boot came off and he was swept by one leg to the top of a very tall tree. As I remember (but I'm going back 60-odd years), the next scene was of the tree with a speech bubble coming from the top saying "Help!"

[Alanus]

While I can't give an exact source, I believe that in the 12th century King John had his victims tossed from a catapult. No torture here, just one hellova way to go.