The Spanish Inquisition, part of the larger Catholic Inquisition, is recognized as one of the most horrifying chapters in human history. It began in the late 1400s and lasted for three hundred years, a process that systematically persecuted Jews and Muslims. Although the name "inquisition" originates from the Latin verb inquiro, meaning "to inquire into," the Spanish Inquisition was about far more than just asking questions. This dark period of religious persecution involved brutal oppression, torture, and burnings at the stake.To fully comprehend the origins and nature of this dreadful era, click through this historical timeline that records the suffering endured by many thousands.