Scaphism, also known as the boats, is an ancient Persian method of execution designed to inflict torturous death. The name comes from the Greek word skaphe, meaning "scooped out".
The naked victim would be firmly fastened within a back-to-back pair of narrow rowboats (or in some variations a hollowed out tree trunk). The victim's head, hands, and feet would protrude from this improvised container.
The victim would be forced to ingest milk and honey to the point of developing severe diarrhea, and more honey would be rubbed on his body so as to attract insects to the exposed appendages.
He would then be left to float on a stagnant pond (or alternately, simply exposed to the sun somewhere).
The diarrhoea would accumulate within the container, attracting more insects, which would eat and breed within the defenseless victim's exposed (and increasingly gangrenous) flesh.
Death, when it eventually occurred, would probably be due to a combination of dehydration, starvation and septic shock.
In other recorded versions, the insects did not eat the victim; biting and stinging insects such as wasps, which were attracted by honey on the body, acted as the torture.
Death by scaphism is painful, humiliating, and protracted. Historical records suggest that Mithridates, sentenced to die in this manner for a perceived insult to the king, survived for 17 days before expiring.
The naked victim would be firmly fastened within a back-to-back pair of narrow rowboats (or in some variations a hollowed out tree trunk). The victim's head, hands, and feet would protrude from this improvised container.
The victim would be forced to ingest milk and honey to the point of developing severe diarrhea, and more honey would be rubbed on his body so as to attract insects to the exposed appendages.
He would then be left to float on a stagnant pond (or alternately, simply exposed to the sun somewhere).
The diarrhoea would accumulate within the container, attracting more insects, which would eat and breed within the defenseless victim's exposed (and increasingly gangrenous) flesh.
Death, when it eventually occurred, would probably be due to a combination of dehydration, starvation and septic shock.
In other recorded versions, the insects did not eat the victim; biting and stinging insects such as wasps, which were attracted by honey on the body, acted as the torture.
Death by scaphism is painful, humiliating, and protracted. Historical records suggest that Mithridates, sentenced to die in this manner for a perceived insult to the king, survived for 17 days before expiring.
by M Donovan July 30, 2006
Get the scaphism mug.Purchasing large quantities of goods (usually tickets) early with the sole intention of re-selling them at a higher price at a later date (closer to the event).
(Thanks to ~Sunigirl~ for the original entry!)
(Thanks to ~Sunigirl~ for the original entry!)
Mike Damone: Busted for scalping Ozzy Osbourne tickets. Now working at 7-11 .
(from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High")
(from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High")
by anna_k March 22, 2005
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terrible pieces of scummy trash that jack up the price of a newly-released product by purchasing it and then selling on eBay for 5 times the price
person 1: damn, all the RTX 3070s are out of stock
person 2: yeah except for eBay, but now they're 1000 dollars. fuckin' scalpers.
person 2: yeah except for eBay, but now they're 1000 dollars. fuckin' scalpers.
by beneb November 27, 2020
Get the Scalper mug.ScapeRune is a place the character in RunEScape "Evil Bob, the Cat" takes you during a random event in the online game RuneScape.
by Adamz is Ftw omg So yeah!@ January 3, 2009
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by The Original Agahnim September 4, 2021
Get the Scapegoat mug.The United States of America. The country that gets blamed for basically everything that goes wrong, just because it's the solo super power.
Person 1 : Dude, global warming is fucking the world up...
Person 2: It's The World's Scapegoats' fault. The USA...
Person 2: It's The World's Scapegoats' fault. The USA...
by United States June 13, 2008
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Dude.. you were so fucked up on booze and drugs last night that even Renner turned you down... you got Scarpoosed bro!
by George Mettts January 25, 2009
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