Scaphism involved trapping a victim between two boats, force-feeding them milk and honey, smearing them with the mixture, and leaving swarms of insects to feast on their slowly decaying body.

A barbaric form of torture has horrified historians for centuries - and is one of the most chilling forms of execution ever devised.

Scaphism involved trapping a victim between two wooden boats, force-feeding them milk and honey, smearing their bodies with more of the sticky mixture, and leaving swarms of insects to feast on them.

The grim practice is described in chilling detail by the Greek historian Plutarch, who wrote of a Persian soldier named Mithridates.

According to his account, Mithridates bragged about killing King Artaxerxes’ brother during a banquet - and the king allegedly ordered thi

See Full Page