World War II was a dark time in Italy's history as they were under the grips of fascist leader and dictator Benito Mussolini. On April 28th, 1945 - just two days before Hitler commits suicide - Mussolini and his mistress, Claretta Pettaci, were executed by machine guns. Despite this being a more modern execution story, key questions still remain a mystery: who ordered the execution? Who was the executioner? Was there a legal trial? Elizabeth and Megan take us back to WWII to discuss the downfall of this infamous Italian dictator. 

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Socrates: Greek hero, world-renowned philosopher, scholar, and apparently a very bad influence. So much so, in fact, he was sentenced to death for corrupting the youth of Athens and refusing to celebrate multiple gods.  Naturally, the punishment for these heinous crimes should be poisoning yourself! Prepare your minds as Elizabeth and Megan get deep and philosophical in this episode of Beheaded. 

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We know the story. We've seen the movie. But it's time to talk about the disturbing and gory details of William Wallace's execution: death by being drawn and quartered. Freedom had a hefty price tag in 13th century Scotland, and Wallace paid in full. Beware, disembowelment is not for the faint hearted.   

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"For traitors on the block should die; I am no traitor, no, not I!"
Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, held onto her innocence until the very end. Not only was she one of the oldest women beheaded at the Tower of London, but she was also one of the most pious. Unfortunately, her piety did not save her from King Henry VIII's wrath... or from a "blundering youth" of an executioner who quite literally hacked her to pieces.

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Ancient Egypt was well known for its zero-tolerance policy when it came to scandal and murder; especially with the murder of Pharaoh Ramses III. Elizabeth and Megan go back to one of the most archaic execution stories in history, using the evidence found from mummies to reveal what really happened in Ramses' harem. Don't worry, at least one person gets off with just a stern warning. 

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The 300-year reign of the Russian Romanov family ended one very sad night with the execution of Czar Nicholas II and his whole family, including the mysterious Anastasia. What better way to talk about this than with our very own, legit Russian (accent and all)? Megan, Elizabeth, and our VERY special guest star Elena talk about the tragic story of Anastasia and the last of the Romanov dynasty. Hate to ruin the ending, but this is nothing like the animated movie. 

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Double double, BOIL, and trouble. Megan and Elizabeth talk about one of the many Tudor era executions: Richard Roose. King Henry VIII lives up to his reputation as being one of the most unforgivable kings by sentencing poisoners to be boiled to death. Richard Roose sets this example and gets boiled alive like a lobster. 

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The tides are changing as Megan and Elizabeth sympathize with one of the most infamous and controversial pirate executions: Captain William Kidd. There may just be enough proof here that drunk necks ARE harder to snap! 

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"SHE'S A WITCH!!" Gossip, betrayal, and - of course - execution. And you thought getting along in the modern world was bad? Try surviving Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 where if you weren't popular, you were being sent to the gallows... as a witch. Listen as Elizabeth Black and Megan Moore give their take on 3 of the most well known Salem Witch Trial victims: Bridget Bishop, Rebecca Nurse, and Giles Corey.  

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In our first episode of Beheaded, go behind the story of Marie Antoinette's final days as she's tried for treason amidst the French Revolution. Royal, wealthy, and found guilty of all crimes. 

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