persecution - the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)

strappado - torture in which a person's hands and tied behind their back and they are lifted off the ground by a rope tied to their wrists and that allowed to drop until their fall is checked by the rope

excruciation, crucifixion - the infliction of extremely painful punishment or suffering

dismemberment, taking apart - the removal of limbs; being cut to pieces

painful - causing physical or psychological pain; "worked with painful slowness"