Most gruesome form of execution, hanging or beheading

I was reading on the Spanish Inquisition and it seems they had some very innovative ways to do away with someone. One in particular, the victim was placed in a large wooden keg, the keg was sealed, then sharp metal spikes was driven into the keg, and keg and victim was released down a long, steep and bumpy hill.   

Wow, tripwire. That is QUITE grusome. I'd hate to be the one in the barrel!

Man, those Inquisators sure knew how to throw a kegger! 

I don't think it's a coincidence that many descendants of executioners today are in science and engineering professions.

Where on Earth did you find statistics indicating that the descendants of executioners are more likely to be scientists and engineers?  I would LOVE to see that source!!!

I would have to characterize the evidence as anecdotal.  It's based on my own observations from reading many sources particular to one region and my correspondence with independent researchers.  I would like to do further reading relating to England to see if this observation holds true there or has been noted in reputable sources in English.  It makes sense to me, though, given that continual experimentation was necessary (e.g. using precise weights, measures, and angles) combined with a rational temperament and the ability to distance oneself from emotion.  These weren't cold, barbaric people.  Executioners were sometimes called upon to aid physicians in the case of accidents and in surgery.  To cite only one example in the case of a noted person in the sciences, Louis Pasteur had many executioners in his ancestry.

I'm trying to be concise and don't want to go off-topic further.  In fact, I would be interested in bringing the discussion around to the execution scenes in DS.  Since this thread is getting awfully long, does anyone think a new but related topic on that subject could be started?

-Vlad

To cite only one example in the case of a noted person in the sciences, Louis Pasteur had many executioners in his ancestry.

There's a joke about being pastuerized in there somewhere, but I can't quite find it......

Spikes in a barrel? Maybe that's where the Brothers Grimm came up with the idea for the ending of The Goose Girl. Gruesome, but one of my favorites.

I think all these types of executions are a horrible way to die! Hanging nor beheading is garrenteed to be quick and painless, and to suffer through either would be tortuous in the least!