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Strappado is a form of Tᴏʀᴛᴜʀᴇ in which the victim's hands are first tied behind his or her back and suspended in the air by means of a rope attached to wrists, which most likely dislocates both arms.

Weights may be added to the body to intensify the effect and increase the Pain.

Another name for Strappado include, "Reverse Hanging".

Strappado is best known for its use in the Tᴏʀᴛᴜʀᴇ Cʜᴀᴍʙᴇʀ/s of the Medieval Inquisition.

According to William Godwin, Girolamo Savonarola was Tortured by Strappado multiple times before being put to death in a trial by fire; Savonarola, however, apparently renounced his confessions after being Tortured, which eventually led to his sentence of burning at the stake.

This device was thought to be used during the Salem Witch Trials of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 to Torture accused Witches.

There are three variants of this Tᴏʀᴛᴜʀᴇ.

01. The victim has his or her arms tied behind their back; a large rope is then tied to the wrists and passed over a pulley, beam or a hook on the roof. The Torturer pulls on this rope until the victim is hanging from the arms. Since the hands are tied behind the victim's back, this will cause a very intense Pain and possible dislocation of the arms. The full weight of the subject's body is then supported by the extended and internally rotated shoulder sockets. While the technique shows no external injuries, it can cause long-term Nerve, Ligament and/or Tendon damage. The technique typically causes Brachial Plexus injury, leading to Paralysis or loss of sensation in the arms.

02. The second variation is similar to the first, but a series of "drops" is added, meaning that the victim is allowed to "drop" until his or her fall is suddenly checked by the rope. In addition to the damage caused by the suspension, the painful jerk would cause major stress to the extended and vulnerable arms, leading to broken shoulders. It is believed that Niccolò Machiavelli (during his 1513 imprisonment after allegedly conspiring against the Medici family in Florence) was subjected to this form of Strappado.

03. In the third variation, the victim's hands are tied to the front. The victim is also hung from the hands, but the ankles are tied and a heavy weight is attached to them. This will cause Pain and possible damage not only to the arms, but also to the legs and hips. This variant was known as, "Squassation".