The cradle       This torture was known under different names and came in different designs . In the Roman Empire it was called "equileus " or "cavalettus" .  The device had a rudimentary resemblance with a horse and had  a sharp wedge-shaped upper part on which the victim was lowered .Heavy weights were then attached to the feet to increase the pressure . The inquisitioners refined these torture by using  a pyramid-shaped construction , which caused even more pain to the tortured victim.
Other names for this torture : "judas cradle"  or "witch's cradle" in english  , "veglia" in italian . It was intensively used at the court of the Popes in Rome and Avignon , where it was also called " the mirrors of Venice" : this torture was  applied in a room whose walls were covered with mirrors to increase the victims despair as they could see themselves writhing in pain .       Back

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