There is the idea that warriors could get infected by bloodlust. Also, the berserkers who would be placed in an altered state of consciousness and obliterate a

There is the idea that warriors could get infected by bloodlust. Also, the berserkers who would be placed in an altered state of consciousness and obliterate anyone near them, friend or foe. Also, in a culture where public toture and execution were the norm, they might have had different tolerances.