The Persian Empire arguably trumped them all, however, when it created scaphism around 500 B.C.E.
This ancient execution method was also known as “the boats,” as victims were placed in two hollowed-out logs or boats before their suffering even began.
With their heads and limbs sticking out and their bodies trapped inside, the victim was force-fed milk and honey.
Their uncontrollable diarrhea filled the boats as executioners poured honey over the victim’s face — and vermin arrived to not only feast upon the prisoners, but enter their bodies to fatally eat them from the inside out.
Ancient torture/execution method. Tie you to a boat (or trap you between two boats) and stuff you full of milk and honey, then pour some on you for good measure.
The idea is that there are many biting insects and unpleasant things that will be attracted to the milk and honey. Being tied/trapped means your hands aren't free to deal with them. Secondly, a large amount of milk and honey is a really good way to get diarrhea. So eventually, you'll have to deal with that, and biting insects are more likely to swarm around you if you're covered in literal shit.
The victims usually die from exposure, but they will have an exceedingly unpleasant time before they expire. Very common to have... Soft tissue areas... Completely consumed before death.
As with any legal punishment, it's always necessary to acknowledge that no matter how heinous the crime, some portion of people who are sentenced for that crime, will in fact be innocent.
I'd much much much rather not have a single innocent person be subjected to this, just so I can feel smug that some sick fuck "got what they deserved". Lock em up where they can't hurt anyone and call it a day. Cruel and usual punishments help absolutely no one in the end
Obviously there are problems with our justice system so this isn't realistic. That's why I said "child molesters" and not "people convicted of child molestation". By definition child molester means "person who has molested a child"