Back in Time Today
History is replete with rulers whose lives were so eccentric, scandalous, or downright bizarre that they rival the most imaginative Hollywood scripts. These 22 ancient leaders led lives that defy belief with tales of eccentricities and extremes that continue to fascinate.
1. Nero (Rome)
Nero’s rule is infamous for its extravagance and brutality. He is often accused of playing the lyre while Rome burned, though this is likely apocryphal. Nero’s persecution of Christians and lavish spending contributed to his downfall and eventual suicide.
2. Elagabalus (Rome)
Ascending to the throne as a teenager, Elagabalus shocked Rome by promoting the worship of the sun god Elagabal and marrying a Vestal Virgin, violating sacred traditions. His reign was characterized by religious controversy and personal eccentricities, leading to his assassination at 18.
3. Commodus (Rome)
The son of Marcus Aurelius, Commodus believed himself to be the reincarnation of Hercules. He participated in gladiatorial combats, often against unarmed opponents, and renamed Rome after himself. His erratic behavior led to his assassination.
4. Ashurbanipal (Assyria)
Ashurbanipal was known for his scholarly pursuits and brutal military campaigns. He amassed a vast library in Nineveh but also boasted of flaying enemies alive and displaying their skins.
5. Caligula (Rome)
Caligula’s reign was marked by extreme eccentricity. He reportedly appointed his horse, Incitatus, as a priest and possibly even a consul. His antics included declaring war on the sea god Neptune and collecting seashells as “spoils of war.” Caligula’s erratic behavior and cruelty eventually led to his assassination by his own guards.
6. Sardanapalus (Assyria)
A legendary figure, Sardanapalus was said to have lived in decadence, dressing in women’s clothes and indulging in pleasures. Facing defeat, he allegedly built a massive pyre, burning himself and his treasures to avoid capture.
7. Periander (Corinth)
One of the Seven Sages of Greece, Periander’s rule was marked by tyranny and cruelty. He reportedly killed his wife in a fit of rage and later defiled her corpse. His paranoia led him to eliminate potential rivals ruthlessly.
8. Amasis II (Egypt)
Originally a commoner, Amasis became pharaoh and was known for his wit. He once melted a footbath into a statue, compelling people to worship it, illustrating his rise from humble beginnings.
9. Pepi II (Egypt)
Believed to have reigned for over 90 years, Pepi II’s rule saw the decline of the Old Kingdom. Legends tell of him being so pampered that he was fanned by naked slaves smeared with honey to keep flies away.
10. Maximinus Daza (Rome)
Known for his cruelty and debauchery, Maximinus Daza’s reign was marked by persecution of Christians and excessive indulgence. He reportedly couldn’t pass through a city without corrupting women and virgins.
11. Qin Shi Huang (China)
The first emperor of a unified China, Qin Shi Huang sought immortality, consuming mercury pills that ironically led to his death. He also commissioned the Terracotta Army to guard him in the afterlife.
12. Vlad the Impaler (Wallachia)
Inspiration for Dracula, Vlad was notorious for impaling his enemies on stakes. His brutal methods were aimed at instilling fear and consolidating power.
13. Ivan the Terrible (Russia)
Russia’s first tsar, Ivan’s reign was marked by paranoia and violence. He established the Oprichnina, a secret police force, and killed his own son in a fit of rage.
14. Emperor Justin II (Byzantine Empire)
Succumbing to mental illness, Justin II was known to bite his attendants and was transported around the palace in a wheeled throne, playing with toys.
15. Charles VI (France)
Dubbed ‘Charles the Mad,’ he suffered from bouts of insanity, believing he was made of glass and taking extreme precautions to avoid breaking.
16. King Ludwig II (Bavaria)
Known as the ‘Fairy Tale King,’ Ludwig II built extravagant castles, including Neuschwanstein, and was obsessed with Wagnerian operas. His eccentricities led to his deposition and mysterious death.
17. Emperor Bokassa I (Central African Republic)
Self-proclaimed emperor, Bokassa’s reign was marked by extravagance and brutality. He held a lavish coronation and was accused of cannibalism and murder.
18. Emperor Ai of Han (China)
Known for his relationship with Dong Xian, Emperor Ai’s favoritism led to political turmoil. He famously tried to cut off his own sleeve rather than disturb his sleeping lover, leading to the phrase “cut sleeve” as a euphemism for homosexuality.
19. Emperor Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (Fatimid Caliphate)
Al-Hakim’s reign was unpredictable; he banned certain foods, ordered the destruction of churches, and declared himself divine before disappearing mysteriously.
20. King Zhengde (Ming Dynasty, China)
Zhengde was known for his indulgent lifestyle, creating an alter ego, Zhu Shou, and embarking on adventures incognito, neglecting state affairs.
21. King Henry VI (England)
Suffering from mental illness, Henry VI’s bouts of insanity led to political instability and the Wars of the Roses. He would often lapse into catatonic states, unresponsive to his surroundings.
22. Emperor Paul I (Russia)
Paranoid and erratic, Paul I implemented bizarre military drills and was obsessed with order. His unpopular policies led to his assassination.