Ancient history is filled with its own tales, especially regarding inhumane methods of execution. In Ancient Greece, a seemingly artistic statue of a golden bull turned out to be one of the most horrifying killing machines in history.
According to Medium, this terrifying execution device originated in Akragas, a city in southern Sicily ruled by the tyrannical king Phalaris of Agrigentum. As a ruler who gained power through deceit, Phalaris instilled fear in both his subjects and enemies to maintain control. Many, including foes, allies, and citizens, fell victim to his brutality.
The use of the Brazen Bull stemmed from Phalaris’s boredom with traditional methods of execution and torture. He sought a new, more entertaining device to satisfy his sadistic pleasure in inflicting pain and death. According to Diodorus Siculus in his “Library of History,” Phalaris’s desire for a fearsome new execution tool was realized by Perillos of Athens.
As reported by Ancient Origins, the Brazen Bull was crafted from bronze and shaped like a bull, complete with a door on one side. Its dimensions were designed to match that of a real bull. The interior was hollow, serving as a chamber for the victim.
To operate the device, the belly of the Brazen Bull would be heated by fire once the victim was inside. Just imagine how brutal and terrifying this machine was! Even more chilling, as noted by Ancient Origins and Diodorus Siculus, Perillos claimed that “the cries of the tortured would bring you pleasure as they echoed through the pipes of the nostrils.”
According to The Vintage News, this device was not only cruel but also considered entertainment for onlookers, as it was designed to make the screams of the victims sound like the bellowing of an angry bull. To test Perillos’s claim, Phalaris ordered a demonstration of the device, selecting Perillos himself as the first victim.
The claim was proven true when Phalaris heard Perillos’s screams echoing from within the gruesome contraption. Ironically, Phalaris would later meet his own demise in his execution device, with Telemachus—an ancestor of Theron—playing the role of his executioner, successfully overthrowing the tyrant’s reign.