Flagrum
The flagrum was an instrument of torture , which was mainly used by the judiciary of the Roman Empire as an instrument of the death penalty for slaves and serious criminals.
shape
The flagrum is a scourge (a type of whip ) with several straps or leather cords. It consisted of a sturdy handle to which two or three cords or leather straps were attached, the lower ends of which were each weighted with one or more pieces of lead . The shape of the pieces of lead changed over and over again. Balls, dumbbells, barbs and the like are known. Instruments set with sharp pieces of bone are also documented.
history
The Romans often used the flagrum to flagellate offenders sentenced to death . It was customary to tie the convicted person to a stake in the courtroom and beat him to the point of almost death. But it also happened that the convict was already killed by this scourging. The flagrum was in use for a long time in the Roman Empire. One of the last known uses dates from the year 390 AD. A monk was excommunicated by the emperor and then scourged with the Flagrum and sent into exile.
The flagrum is mainly known from the biblical crucifixion story of the Gospels. Jesus of Nazareth is said to have been scourged with a flag before the crucifixion. The Turin shroud also shows places that can be interpreted as torture marks by the flagrum.
Others
The Flagrum became known to a larger audience in connection with the uncompromising torture scenes in the film The Passion of the Christ by US director Mel Gibson .