Executioner of Rome

By Maleficium · Melodic Death Metal

The Executioner of Rome was a real person. This song doesn't glorify him or his killing. Just another time travel.

Giovanni Battista Bugatti was born in Senigallia on March 6, 1779 and died peacefully in his bed at the venerable age of 90. However, he was better known as "Mastro Titta the Executioner of Rome", executor of capital sentences of the Papal State. A career that began at just 17 years old in1796.

During his 68 years of service, 516 people "tormented" or executed, by using hanging, the cleaver, the guillotine and the "mazzolatura", a very cruel form of death, carried out by hitting the kneeling condemned person with a heavy club, like a calf in the slaughterhouse. Mazzatello or mazzolatura means (“to strike with a mace”). It involved striking the condemned’s head with a large, long-handled mace, mallet, or pollaxe, often on a stone base, to inflict severe head trauma. The blow typically stunned the victim, and their throat was then slit to ensure death. The sentences were carried out in the square, in front of hundreds of spectators. Alexandre Dumas, George Byron and Charles Dickens certainly witnessed his executions.

Bugatti lived on the right bank of the Tiber near the Vatican buildings; where, when he was not on duty, he sold and repaired umbrellas. Because of his work, he was advised not to be seen around too much and for this reason he never crossed the Sant'Angelo bridge except when he was called to perform his duty. Then, after confessing and taking communion, he put on the red cloak, now exhibited at the Criminological Museum of Rome, and "crossed the bridge", and he went to the place, where the gallows were erected.

Mastro Titta also entered literature and movies. His popularity was so great that by now Mastro Titta was synonymous with executioner. He is also the mascot of Maleficium.

About Melodic Death Metal

A Gothenburg-originated fusion of death metal extremity with soaring melodies and harmonized guitar leads, balancing brutality with accessibility and emotional depth. Bands include: In Flames, At the Gates, Dark Tranquility

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