8. Vestal Virgins were sacred in Ancient Rome – they were priestesses of the goddess Vesta, and their chastity was seen as being directly linked with the health of Rome. If a Vestal Virgin had sex, this would be treated as an act of treason and her punishment would be to be buried alive.

The Vestal Virgins were chosen to join the priesthood well before puberty, and then swore an oath of celibacy for 30 years. They were seen as pure and holy, and the punishment for hurting one was death. Which is why, when a vestal was sentenced to death, the only appropriate method of execution was burying her alive, as that would not spill her blood. It was also illegal for anyone to be buried alive within the confines of the city, so the priestess would be put into an underground room with enough food and water for a few days, so that she wasn't technically being buried alive.

9. In ancient Mongol law, it was forbidden to spill royal blood. Of course, you don't conquer the largest kingdom in history without killing off a few nobles – so they crushed them to death instead.

The Mongols had to come up with much more creative solutions to kill off nobles without spilling their blood. Often they would crack their necks to end their lives in one swift, clean movement, but other times it was a bit more elaborate. In one instance, they captured Mstislav III, the Grand Prince of Kiev. The Mongols then tied him and his generals up and placed a wooden slab over them. Then they feasted and partied on top of the slab, slowly crushing their royal enemies to death beneath them, all while having a grand ol' time.

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