Editing Scaphism (section)

{{short description|Alleged Ancient Persian method of execution}}
{{redirect|The boats|other uses|boat (disambiguation)|and|The Boat (disambiguation)}}
'''Scaphism''' (from [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] {{lang|grc|σκάφη}}, meaning "boat"),<ref>{{Cite OED|scaphismus}}</ref> also known as '''the boats''', is reported by [[Plutarch]] in his ''Life of [[Artaxerxes II|Artaxerxes]]'' as an ancient Persian method of [[Capital punishment|execution]]. He describes the victim being trapped between two small boats, one inverted on top of the other, with limbs and head sticking out, feeding them and smearing them with milk and honey, and allowing them to fester and be devoured by insects and other [[vermin]] over time. Plutarch's report originates from a source considered dubious.