Simulation shows ancient Greek execution method that is 'the worst way to die'

Now for all the faults of the modern world, the one thing most people don’t have to worry about is elaborate torture devices used at the whim of a king.

Unfortunately, this was not the case for the subjects of Phalaris, a tyrant of Akragas, a Greek colony in Sicily.

The victims of Phalaris could be subject to a death some have dubbed it the 'worst way to die'.

The tyrant’s choice of torture device, the brazen bull also known as the bull of Sicily. Have a look for yourself:

Designed by Phalaris’ sculptor Perilaus, the horrifying idea was that criminals would be forced to climb into a hollowed out, bronze bull. They would then be trapped inside and a fire would be lit underneath the bull, cooking the individual inside.

Being burned to death is bad enough, now just imagine that but slowed down ten times and you're close to the suffering of those who were put to death in the Brazen Bull.

A simulation depicting just how the device would work has shown just how terrifying this death would be for the victims.

Neurobiologist Michele Boyd spoke on a 2008 show, Machines of Malice, explaining the painful minutes the victim would suffer before death, ultimately having panic attacks before being burnt to death.

“Instinctually if you are locked in any kind of dark space, you are trapped and you know you are not going to get out, panic is going to set in,” she said.

The unfortunate victims of Phalaris could be subject to a death some have dubbed it the “worst way to die”.

“You are going to have an acute stress response, your heart rate is going to increase. You are going to breathe a lot faster.

“Essentially you are going to start panicking as soon as the bull starts heating up.”

Phalaris also appeared to have a twisted sense of humor about the whole ordeal as the torture device was fitted with a macabre feature.

As part of the cruel design, the head of the statue featured a system of tubes and pipes so that the victim's screams were converted into the sounds of an infuriated bull.

According to historians, to test out this feature, Phalaris demanded the sculptor climb inside and simulate a screaming victim.

Discovery

Unluckily for Perilaus, the tyrant's twisted sence of humor kicked in and he locked him inside and set a fire beneath, boiling him alive.

Ultimately showcasing that screaming victims did indeed sound like a raging bull.

Phalaris' horrific reign eventually came to an end when he was overthrown by a new leader named Telemachus in 554 BC, and in a sinister twist of fate, the former oppressor was said to have been killed in the Brazen Bull.

Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard is a Journalist at UNILAD and has dived headfirst into covering everything from breaking global stories to trending entertainment news. He has a bachelors in English Literature from Brunel University and has written across a number of different national and international publications. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek.