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

Death - not something we like to think about too often, but unfortunately it’s one of the few things you can be certain of (alongside taxes).

On the plus side, unless you're the most unlucky person on the planet, chances are you won't be bumped off by this horrifying execution method.

It's been described as the 'worst way to die', and thanks to this simulation we now know why:

The Brazen Bull is truly a horrifying creation. Designed in ancient Greece, the idea was proposed to Phalaris – a tyrant of Akragas, a Greek colony in Sicily - by his sculptor Perilaus as a means to torture and kill criminals.

Historians have long recounted Phalaris' cruelty, with some suggesting he had a propensity for cannibalism.

So it's no surprise he took to the device with no hesitation.

The concept is simple yet horrifying, consisting of a hollow bull statue made out of bronze. A hinge door on the back reveals a chamber where victims are locked in and trapped.

A fire is then lit beneath the belly of the bull, causing the person inside to slowly roast alive.

Being burned to death is bad enough, but 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.

Discovery

But the torture doesn't end there. 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.

Legend has it that Perilaus said to Phalaris while highlighting the musical aspect of the device: "His screams will come to you through the pipes as the tenderest, most pathetic, most melodious of bellowings."

If you had any doubt about the tyrant's brutality, wait until you get a load of the next part of the story.

According to an episode of Discovery's Death Machines, ancient texts suggest that Phalaris wanted to test out the musical capability of the bull.

After convincing his trusty sculptor to climb inside the animal and start screaming, he instead shut the back door and lit a fire beneath.

The system worked as planned – but the test cost the life of the very man who made it.

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.

Discovery

It's hard to imagine what such a painful way of dying must feel like, and for the most part people don't want to think about it.

Commenting under a clip of Discovery's simulation, one person wrote: "I find this deeply disturbing. The very idea of someone going through something so horrific is too much for me to take in.

"Merely calling it torture is speaking far too lightly of it. There is no effective way to describe it, it is just pure evil."

Another said: "This is absolutely horrific. How anybody can do that to another human being is beyond me. This machine terrifies me, it really is the stuff of nightmares!"

And in a sentiment I think we can all agree with, a third added: "I'm glad that the inventor of this f**kup was the first one to enjoy it."

Topics: World News, Weird, Documentaries

Daisy Phillipson

Daisy graduated from Kingston University with a degree in Magazine Journalism, writing a thesis on the move from print to digital publishing. Continuing this theme, she has written for a range of online publications including Digital Spy and Little White Lies, with a particular passion for TV and film. Contact her on [email protected]

@DaisyWebb77