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Horrifying simulation shows what happened to inventor of ‘most painful torture device’ as he fell victim to own creation

Home> Community> Weird

Published 14:17 19 May 2025 GMT+1

Horrifying simulation shows what happened to inventor of ‘most painful torture device’ as he fell victim to own creation

It would be pretty unfortunate to fall victim to a torture device you created

Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper

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A creepy simulation has depicted how an ancient inventor fell victim to the very torture device he created.

From blood eagles to keelhauling, entombment and many more, it's fair to say that our ancestors were both creative and very f***ed up when it came to inventing ways to deal with enemies.

Perhaps one of the most notorious methods came from an ancient Greek civilisation residing in what is now modern day Sicily, which allowed the condemned to be tortured in a device that converted their screams into the furious bellows of a wild animal.

In case you hadn't already guessed, we are of course talking about the notorious Brazen Bull, a torture device that combines one of the most painful but also embarrassing ways to die.

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A historical depiction of the Brazen Bull (Wikimedia Commons)
A historical depiction of the Brazen Bull (Wikimedia Commons)

Believed to have come into existence in approximately 500-560 BCE, the rather creative torture method is the brainchild of a Greek inventor called Perilaus of Athens.

Designed to torture and/or kill an intended recipient the Brazen Bull is a large bronze sculpture which resembles its namesake and features a door on one side.

The condemned is bundled into the contraption and a fire is lit underneath, allowing the bronze to heat up to unbearable temperatures.

As the unlucky soul begins to scream in agony, a particularly sadistic network of internal pipes meant that these screams were transformed into the sound of a charging bull to those on the outside.

Which meant that while you were spending your final moments being roasted alive, those stood on the outside were left watching a rather comical bronze animal make huffing noises.

Talk about adding insult to injury.

Have a look at the simulation below and be very grateful that you live in an era where things such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights exist:

Given the fact that it was created over 2,000 years ago, it's been difficult for historians to completely verify the existence of the Brazen Bull; however the story has a very grim ending for Perilaus of Athens.

According to the one alleged account, Perilaus took the finished creation to the tyrannical leader Phalaris and said: "His screams will come to you through the pipes as the tenderest, most pathetic, most melodious of bellowings."

Phalaris then requested the inventor climb in to test the horn system, a trick which would see him tortured in his own creation before meeting his end after being thrown off a cliff.

How Perilaus likely looked after realising his fate (Midjourney AI/LADbible)
How Perilaus likely looked after realising his fate (Midjourney AI/LADbible)

He wasn't the only supposed notable death by Brazen Bull either, as Phalaris would be executed in the device after being overthrown.

Archeologists are yet to find any concrete evidence of the Brazen Bull, however repeated references in historical texts reveal at the very least the method was used to scare citizens into line.

Featured Image Credit: (YouTube/mitsistudio)

Topics: Community, Weird, History

Brenna Cooper
Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper is a journalist at LADbible. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in History, followed by an NCTJ accredited masters in Journalism. She began her career as a freelance writer for Digital Spy, where she wrote about all things TV, film and showbiz. Her favourite topics to cover are music, travel and any bizarre pop culture.

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@_brencoco

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