ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions Scariest Things that were "Normal" in History
Throughout history, humans have come up with some pretty inventive—and sometimes scary—ways to fight each other. One of the earliest examples is from 142 A.D., when a Chinese alchemist named Wei Bo Yang discovered a mixture of powders that could explode. This was the beginning of gunpowder. But gunpowder isn’t the only frightening weapon from the past. Let’s explore some of the most alarming weapons from ancient times.
Fire has always been a powerful tool in warfare, used in everything from flaming arrows to torches. One of the most shocking uses of fire happened in 266 B.C. during the siege of Megara. The defenders of the city set pigs on fire and sent them running towards the enemy’s war elephants. The sight and sound of the flaming pigs caused the elephants to panic, trampling their own soldiers in chaos. This tactic was so effective that the opposing leader, Antigonus II, started keeping pigs near his elephants to get them used to the smell and sight.
In 214 B.C., the Roman army faced a terrifying invention while attacking the city of Syracuse in Sicily. This was the Claw of Archimedes, created by the famous scientist Archimedes. It was a large beam with a claw that could grab enemy ships and capsize them. Archimedes was known for his clever inventions, including powerful catapults and even a rumored “death ray” that could set ships on fire using sunlight.
The Brazen Bull was a horrifying device used for punishment, created by a sculptor named Perillos in the 6th century B.C. It was a hollow bronze bull with a door, where a person could be placed inside. A fire would be lit underneath, roasting the person alive. The bull was designed to make the victim’s screams sound like the bellowing of a bull. Ironically, Perillos himself became a victim of his own invention when he demonstrated it to the tyrant Phalaris.
In the early 900s A.D., China developed a powerful weapon known as the flamethrower. Called the “pinhurochi,” it sprayed a burning mixture of oil and resins, even igniting on water. This weapon was especially impactful during the Battle of Yamen in 1279, where it was used by the Song Dynasty against the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. Despite its power, the Song Dynasty was eventually defeated.
War elephants were some of the most intimidating weapons in ancient warfare. Indian Emperor Chandragupta Maurya had a large army of these elephants, which were equipped with armor and weapons. His successor, Ashoka the Great, led a particularly bloody war that resulted in many deaths. This experience led Ashoka to embrace Buddhism and promote peace. Another Indian empire, the Chalukyas, made their war elephants even more dangerous by giving them alcohol, making them unpredictable in battle.
Thanks for exploring these fascinating historical weapons! If you’re curious about more terrifying inventions from the past, feel free to reach out. History is full of surprising stories that show just how creative—and sometimes scary—humans can be.
Research and create a timeline that includes the weapons discussed in the article: gunpowder, flaming pigs, the Claw of Archimedes, the Brazen Bull, Chinese flamethrowers, and war elephants. Include the date of invention or use, the inventor or civilization, and a brief description of each weapon’s impact on history. Present your timeline on a poster or digitally using a tool like Canva.
Imagine you are living in ancient times and tasked with creating a safety poster to warn people about one of the weapons mentioned in the article. Choose one weapon and design a poster that explains the dangers and how to protect oneself. Use creative visuals and persuasive language to engage your audience.
Divide into groups and role-play a debate between historical figures who either supported or opposed the use of one of the weapons. For example, you could debate the ethics of using war elephants or the Brazen Bull. Prepare arguments based on historical context and present your debate to the class.
Using your knowledge of historical weapons, invent your own ancient weapon. Describe its design, how it would be used in battle, and the potential impact it could have had on historical events. Create a drawing or model of your weapon and present it to the class, explaining your creative process.
Write a short story set in ancient times, incorporating one or more of the weapons discussed in the article. Develop characters who interact with these weapons, and explore the impact on their lives and society. Share your story with the class and discuss the historical accuracy and creative elements.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Humans have been quite inventive in creating ways to harm each other throughout history. In 142 A.D., Chinese alchemist Wei Bo Yang wrote about discovering a mixture of three powders that could explode—gunpowder was born. While explosive devices are certainly frightening, there have been many other weapons throughout history that would be terrifying to encounter. Here are some of the most alarming weapons from ancient times.
**Flaming Pigs**
Fire has been used in many creative ways during wars—flaming arrows, napalm, and simple torches. One of the most gruesome uses of fire occurred in 266 B.C. when pigs were set ablaze and sent charging toward an opposing army’s war elephants. The chaos that ensued was terrifying, as the elephants panicked and trampled their own soldiers. This event took place during the siege of Megara, where Macedonian ruler Antigonus II had the city surrounded. The defenders, determined to protect their home, set the pigs on fire and released them, causing havoc in the enemy ranks. Antigonus learned from this experience and began keeping pigs near his elephants to acclimate them to their presence.
**The Claw of Archimedes**
In 214 B.C., a Roman soldier sailing toward Syracuse, Sicily, encountered a terrifying device known as the Claw of Archimedes. This invention was designed by the brilliant scientist Archimedes and consisted of a long beam with a claw at one end. When Roman ships approached, the defenders would maneuver the claw into position and release it, grabbing hold of enemy ships and often causing them to capsize. Archimedes was known for his innovative weaponry, including powerful catapults and, according to legend, a death ray that could ignite ships using sunlight.
**Brazen Bull**
The Brazen Bull was a gruesome punishment device created by the sculptor Perillos in the 6th century B.C. for the tyrant Phalaris of Akragas. This hollow bronze bull had a door through which a person could be placed inside, and a fire would be lit underneath, roasting the victim alive. Perillos intended it as a form of entertainment and punishment. However, when he demonstrated it to Phalaris, he was locked inside and met a horrific fate, as the bull was designed to amplify the screams of the victim.
**Chinese Flamethrowers**
During the early 900s A.D., China developed one of the most destructive weapons of the ancient world: the flamethrower. Known as the “pinhurochi,” this device sprayed a mixture of oil and resins that could ignite and burn fiercely, even on water. It was a game-changer in warfare, particularly during the Battle of Yamen in 1279, where the Song Dynasty faced the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Song used flamethrowers to create a firestorm, but ultimately, they were overwhelmed.
**War Elephants**
War elephants were among the most formidable weapons of the ancient world. Indian Emperor Chandragupta Maurya amassed a massive army of war elephants, equipped with armor and weaponry. His successor, Ashoka the Great, led one of the bloodiest wars in Indian history, resulting in immense casualties. The brutality of the conflict led Ashoka to convert to Buddhism and advocate for peace. Another Indian empire, the Chalukyas, took the use of war elephants to extremes by feeding them alcohol, making them more unpredictable and dangerous in battle.
Thanks for watching! If you want to learn more about other terrifying weapons, let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more fascinating history.
—
This version removes any graphic or inappropriate content while maintaining the essence of the original transcript.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Example sentence: In history class, we learned about the causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Example sentence: Science has helped us understand the laws of nature and develop new technologies.
Gunpowder – An explosive mixture of substances used historically in firearms and fireworks. – Example sentence: The invention of gunpowder changed the nature of warfare during the Middle Ages.
Warfare – Engagement in or the activities involved in war or conflict. – Example sentence: The development of new strategies and technologies has significantly altered modern warfare.
Archimedes – An ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer known for his contributions to science. – Example sentence: Archimedes is famous for his principle of buoyancy, which explains why objects float in water.
Elephants – Large mammals known for their intelligence and used historically in warfare and labor. – Example sentence: Elephants were used by Hannibal during the Second Punic War to cross the Alps and surprise the Romans.
Flamethrower – A weapon that projects a stream of burning fuel, used in warfare to clear enemy positions. – Example sentence: Flamethrowers were first used extensively during World War I to break through enemy trenches.
Dynasty – A line of hereditary rulers of a country or empire. – Example sentence: The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural and technological advancements in China.
Inventions – New devices, methods, or processes developed from study and experimentation. – Example sentence: The printing press is one of the most important inventions in history, revolutionizing the spread of information.
Punishment – The infliction of a penalty as retribution for an offense, often used historically to maintain order. – Example sentence: In ancient Rome, punishment for crimes could be severe, including exile or execution.
