Damnatio ad Bestias: A Cruel Punishment

The Romans had a punishment worse than death called damnatio ad bestias. You'd be stripped

naked and thrown into an arena with starving lions, bears, or leopards while

thousands cheered. But here's the twisted part. If the animals weren't hungry,

guards would tie you down and cut you repeatedly to attract them with blood.

Some victims lasted hours being mauled alive. The worst case? A criminal named

Laureolus was crucified in the arena, then wild animals were released to eat him while he

was still conscious on the cross. The crowd treated it like entertainment. Death would've been

mercy compared to being ripped apart slowly for sport.