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Impalement, as a method of torture and execution, is the penetration of a human by an object such as a stake, pole, spear, or hook, often by the complete or partial perforation of the torso. It was particularly used in response to "crimes against the state" and is regarded across a number of cultures as a very harsh form of capital punishment ...
In his De Cruce (Antwerp 1594), p. 10 Justus Lipsius explained the two forms of what he called the crux simplex.. The term crux simplex was invented by Justus Lipsius (1547–1606) to indicate a plain transom-less wooden stake used for executing either by affixing the victim to it or by impaling him with it (Simplex [...] voco, cum in uno simplicique ligno fit affixio, aut infixio).
The use of impalement in myth, art, and literature includes mythical representations of it as a method of execution and other uses in paintings, sculptures, and the like, folklore and other tales in which impalement is related to magical or supernatural properties, and the use of simulated impalement for the purposes of entertainment.
It contains over 5,000 entries concerning European history and culture from AD 500 to 1500 as well as topics related to the Byzantine Empire, Islamic history, and medieval Asia. [1] Subjects covered in the dictionary include art, architecture, medicine, law, archaeology, ecclesiastical history, languages, and literature of the medieval world. [2]
Impalement: The penetration of the body by an object such as a stake, pole, spear, or hook, often by complete or partial perforation of the torso. Keelhauling: European maritime punishment of dragging the victim against the barnacles on a ship. (Not usually intended to be lethal.) Poisoning
The impalement arts have been featured in movies, television, literature and art. These representations, rather than real acts, will have provided many people with the main basis of their ideas about the impalement arts. Impalement acts have proved to be useful plot devices and have provided iconic images.
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The single tally stick was an elongated piece of bone, ivory, wood, or stone which is marked with a system of notches (see: Tally marks). The single tally stick serves predominantly mnemonic purposes. Related to the single tally concept are messenger sticks (used by, e.g., Inuit tribes), the knotted cords, khipus or quipus, as used by the Inca.