In ancient times, one of the most terrifying and brutal punishments ever devised was the brazen bull. Originating from Ancient Greece, this method of execution aimed not only to end lives but also to instill fear by turning human suffering into a grotesque public display. The brazen bull was a hollow bronze cast in the shape of a bull, created around 6BC by Perilaus, a craftsman from Athens, for Phalaris, the tyrant ruler of Acragas in Sicily.
Those unfortunate enough to be placed inside the bull faced a horrific fate. A fire beneath the bull slowly heated up the bronze, causing excruciating pain to the person trapped inside. The bull’s design included tubes and chambers that distorted the victim’s screams, making them sound like the enraged bellow of an animal rather than a human in torment. Surprisingly, some accounts suggest that Phalaris, the tyrant who commissioned the bull, tested it on Perilaus, the inventor, before using it on others.
Phalaris took pleasure in using the brazen bull as a means of disposing of those he disliked, even turning their bones into jewelry. However, his reign of terror came to an end when he was overthrown in 554BC and met his own demise inside the bull. Historians debate the frequency of the bull’s use, with some claiming it was rare and others suggesting it was employed against enemies of the state and challengers of authority. Shocking accounts from Christian sources recount how the brazen bull was used to execute faithful individuals like Saint Eustace and Saint Antipas.
The brazen bull continued to be a tool of cruelty for centuries, with legends telling of its use as late as 287CE. Pelagia of Tarsus, a Christian under Emperor Diocletian, is said to have suffered the same fiery fate in this horrifying device. The legacy of the brazen bull serves as a haunting reminder of the brutal punishments inflicted in ancient times.