THE BR EAKING WHEEL
A wheel has always been
considered as a symbol of
life cycle – the beginning
and the end.
In this case, it will pre-
sent the end of life.
We will discuss the Wheel
as a form of torture and
execution machine.
This method was used in
middle ages and early mo-
dern period in countries
such as France, Germany,
Italy, Slavic countries, Den-
mark, Sweden, Romania or
Russia. It was not applied
in England and in Scotland
it was used but only locally.
It was stopped from being
used in Europe at the end of
18th century. In Prussia, it
was used for longer time and
that was up to the year 1841.
Breaking Wheel was used
on people who committed a
very serious crime, such as
the murder of multiple peo-
ple, the murder of parents,
betrayal of the ruler, an ex-
tensive robbery or rape of a
virgin.
104
Process of torture
Firstly the martyr was out-
sretched on saltire (cross
that is made from wood be-
ams that were nailed in a
shape of X). When his legs
were outstretched the mar-
tyr was entangled into the
toes of the wheel. The exe-
cutioner was smashing his
limbs and torso with a stick
or with a hard iron thing and
then he broke his neck - this
method was mostly used in
French. The maimed body
was left on the Wheel for au-
dience and public.
Article by:
Nikola Kotláriková
Sources of es:
1. http://enacademic.com/dic.nsf/
enwiki/99764