Darkside of Ancient History Explore Darkside ↗
The Bronze Brazen Bull Execution Device of Tyrant Phalaris
Phalaris of Acragas Classical Greece Tragedies & Plagues Archive: verified 5/5 wildness

Inventor Perilaus designed a hollow bronze bull where victims were locked inside and roasted over a fire. The bull's pipes converted the screams of the dying into the sound of a bellowing bull. In a twist, Phalaris had Perilaus tested inside it first.

Follow the sources:

← Back to Ancient History Archive
Let curiosity lead.

Start your excavation
Rome Egypt Ancient warfare
History leaves questions. Follow them.

02 Daily darkside

One story brought to light, every day.

Selection

Archive Record · Classical Greece

Era / civilisation

From the archive

A closer look
at what remains.

The Bronze Brazen Bull Execution Device of Tyrant PhalarisAI concept artwork

Tragedies & Plagues5/5 wildness

The Bronze Brazen Bull Execution Device of Tyrant Phalaris

Phalaris of Acragas / Classical Greece

Inventor Perilaus designed a hollow bronze bull where victims were locked inside and roasted over a fire. The bull's pipes converted the screams of the dying into the sound of a bellowing bull. In a twist, Phalaris had Perilaus tested inside it first.

Archive: verified

03 The ancient archive

More Stories from the Ancient History Archive

Rulers. Rituals. Relics.
What will you uncover?

10 storiesFrom the collection

10 stories in this selection.

01

Mad Rulers & TyrantsAncient Rome

Emperor Elagabalus Smothers Party Guests under Rose Petals

Emperor Elagabalus

According to historical records, the teenage Roman Emperor Elagabalus released a massive volume of rose petals and violet flowers from a false ceiling during a dinner party, accidentally suffocating several of his guests to death.

Archive: verified ↗
02

Cursed Tombs & RelicsAncient Egypt

The Curse of Tutankhamun's Tomb and Associated Mysterious Deaths

King Tutankhamun

Tabloids popularized the idea of a mummy's curse after Lord Carnarvon died of an infected mosquito bite five months after opening Tutankhamun's tomb. Statistical studies of the excavations confirmed that those who entered the tomb did not die at a younger average age than expected.

Debunked ↗
03

Ancient WarfareAncient Rome / Parthian Empire

General Crassus Executed by Having Molten Gold Poured Down His Throat

Marcus Licinius Crassus

Following his disastrous defeat at the Battle of Carrhae, the famously wealthy Roman Triumvir Crassus was captured by Parthian forces and executed by having molten gold poured down his throat to symbolize his unquenchable greed.

Archive: verified ↗
04

Myths & LegendsPtolemaic Egypt

Cleopatra Died of Snakebite Asp Suicide Legend

Cleopatra VII

Popular legends claim Cleopatra committed suicide by forcing an asp to bite her breast. Modern historians suggest she likely ingested a lethal concoction of toxic herbs, hemlock, and opium instead, as a snake bite would have taken hours to kill her.

Debunked ↗
05

Tragedies & PlaguesAncient Rome

Preserved Plaster Casts of Pompeii Victims capturing Final Moments

Pompeii Eruption

During the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius, victims were buried in hot ash. In the 1860s, archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli realized that injecting plaster into the hollow spaces left by decomposed bodies revealed perfect three-dimensional casts of their final struggling poses.

Archive: verified ↗
06

Mad Rulers & TyrantsAncient Rome

Emperor Caligula Appointed His Horse Incitatus to the Senate

Emperor Caligula

Suetonius wrote that Caligula planned to make his horse Incitatus a consul. Modern historians argue this was likely a satirical political joke by Caligula intended to embarrass the Roman Senate by showing that even a horse could do their job.

Debunked ↗
Showing 1–6 of 10

Fact, folklore, or an account still disputed? Follow each story’s sources and consider the evidence. AI artwork is an interpretation, not a historical document.

04 For the curious & the creators

Give the past
another life.

A daily discovery for your website.
An archive to build upon.

THE EMBEDA little history. Every day.

Add the Ancient History daily widget to your site. Its story and artwork follow the existing daily selection.

Widget instructions ↗
THE APIBuild your own exploration.

Search the history archive by keyword, subject, category, myth status, or wildness. Begin with a simple request.

Read the API guide ↗

In the guide, select REST API for the History endpoints and filters. The subject filter uses the parameter actor.

From the ancient archive

Phalaris of Acragas / Classical Greece

The Bronze Brazen Bull Execution Device of Tyrant Phalaris

Tragedies & PlaguesArchive: verified5/5 wildness

Inventor Perilaus designed a hollow bronze bull where victims were locked inside and roasted over a fire. The bull's pipes converted the screams of the dying into the sound of a bellowing bull. In a twist, Phalaris had Perilaus tested inside it first.

Follow the sources

Status and citations are supplied by the archive. AI concept art is an interpretation, not historical evidence.