What is judas cradle?

The Judas cradle, also known as the culla di Giuda in Italian, was a torture device, likely originating during the time of the <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Spanish%20Inquisition">Spanish Inquisition</a>, though specific historical documentation is limited.

It was a pyramid-shaped seat or stool, often made of wood or metal. The victim would be suspended above the point of the pyramid, often by ropes or a harness, and then slowly lowered onto it. The point would then be inserted into the anus, vagina, or under the arm, depending on the intended effect and the victim's gender.

The torture could last for hours or even days, causing extreme pain, tissue damage, and infection. The stretching and tearing of the victim's orifices led to immense suffering. Further, because the device was rarely cleaned, there was a high risk of infection which often led to death. The device was not designed to quickly kill but to inflict prolonged agony and extract confessions.

Variations of the Judas cradle existed, some with sharpened points or additional weights to intensify the pain. The device served not only as a tool for physical torture but also for psychological torment, as the slow and deliberate nature of the process instilled terror and hopelessness in the victim. While its exact history is difficult to trace, it remains a chilling example of the brutality of torture throughout history.