Throughout the long river of human civilization, law and order have always been accompanied by harsh shadows. In ancient societies, various forms of punishment were developed in order to maintain rule and deter crime. Among them, the most feared were those extremely cruel tortures. Based on historical records, this article will explore the top ten tortures in ancient punishments, revealing their brutality and warnings.

Lingchi, also known as dismemberment, was an extremely cruel form of execution in ancient criminal law. The criminal was sentenced to a slow and painful dismemberment until the end of their life. This punishment not only caused extreme physical pain but also great mental torment, reflecting the extreme punishment ancient law imposed on serious crimes.

Paoluo was a punishment that involved burning iron until it was red hot and then forcing the criminal to walk barefoot on it or directly branding their body with the hot iron. This punishment exploited human's natural fear of fire and heat, as well as extreme sensitivity to pain, and its brutality was chilling.

Chelie involved tying the criminal to a cart and then allowing the horses to pull the cart in different directions, tearing the criminal's body into pieces. This punishment was notorious for its bloodiness and violence, and it was the extreme punishment for rebellions and other major crimes.

Bopi, as the name suggests, referred to the stripping of the criminal's skin in its entirety. This punishment not only caused extreme pain but also completely trampled on human dignity, demonstrating the brutality of ancient criminal law.

Gongxing was the punishment of amputating the male criminal's genitalia. Besides the physical pain, this punishment was also a deprivation of the family's continuation rights, reflecting ancient society's special punishment for certain crimes.

Huomai was the punishment of burying the criminal alive in the ground, causing them to suffocate to death. This punishment, known for its simplicity, brutality, and lethality, revealed ancient law's contempt for life.

Tiechunv was a punishment that involved placing the criminal inside an iron human-shaped device and gradually applying pressure until death. This mechanical and slow form of death fully demonstrated the cruel wisdom of ancient punishments.

Zuoxin was the punishment of piercing the criminal's heart with a sharp tool. This punishment was quickly fatal, but its brutality and the mental torture it inflicted on the criminal were immeasurable.

Wumafenshi involved tying the criminal to five horses and then driving the horses to run, tearing the criminal's body apart. This punishment was not only an extreme torture for the criminal themselves but also a humiliation to their family and social status.

Shuixing was the punishment of immersing the criminal in water until they suffocated or drowned. This seemingly simple punishment was actually filled with terror and despair, testing the fragility of human nature in extreme environments.

Although these ancient tortures have been abolished with the progress of the times, their existence is undoubtedly a painful spot in human history. Through understanding these tortures, we should not only reflect on the cruelty of past legal systems but also be vigilant against possible legal regressions in the future. The lessons of history remind us that the progress of civilization requires the humanization of the rule of law, as well as respect and protection for human rights. Let us remember history, cherish the present, and jointly look forward to a more just and humanitarian future.

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