Behind | The Pain and Shame of Exile, Part 2

Sennacherib’s reliefs commemorating the destruction of Lachish feature scenes portraying torture tactics. Here prisoners were impaled just outside the city walls. These tactics sought to dishearten defenders and secure quick surrender. 

Here prisoners are flayed, again as a tactic of psychological warfare. 

The walls of Medinet Habu commemorate the victories of Ramses III. Pictured here are prisoners from the “Sea People,” believed to be Philistines. Note the way that their elbows are tied together. This kind of procession of shame and pain demonstrated the power of the Egyptians. 

Dungeons were also used as a form of punishment or torture. While pain was not the main factor in this form of punishment, shame came in the form of isolation.