×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Sunday
11
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 12°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Culture

11 Very strange deaths from history

Interesting details of history

Newsroom November 30 10:00

We all die eventually, but some of us go out in weirder ways than others. With the number of people who have existed throughout human history, at least a few strange deaths are to be expected. Below, we compiled a list of some of the most bizarre deaths ever recorded in ancient history.

1. Sir William Payne-Gallwey: Death by Turnip

Sir William Payne-Gallwey was a British Member of Parliament in the late 19th century. Sir William, like many other British MPs, loved to go hunting throughout the year. On one unfortunate hunting trip, Sir William crossed through a  turnip field, where he fell and sustained significant internal injury from one particularly large turnip. He died of his injuries just a few days later.

2. Zeuxis: Death by Laughter

Laughing is all fun and games – until it kills you. Zeuxis, a Greek painter in the 5th century BC, had his last laugh after observing his own painting of  Aphrodite. Allegedly, an elderly woman had commissioned the painting for her home, but decided to model for it herself. After the painting of this elderly woman as Aphrodite was completed, Zeuxis observed his work and laughed so hard that he died.

See Also:

World’s 1st hydrogen-powered jet engine seeks turning point for aviation industry

>Related articles

Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, dies at 78

How the “civilized” Americans exterminated the “barbarian” Apache Indians:The ten-year war that began with a misunderstanding

Who is Maryam Rajavi, presented as a “ready-made solution” for the day after Iran, her movement, and its financial backing

3. Draco of Athens: Death by Gift Suffocation

In 620 BC, theatergoers in Aegina, Greece accidentally killed a man with their affection. Draco of Athens , an ancient lawmaker, was so loved by the Aeginian citizens that they showered him with gifts of appreciation. The citizens threw so many items on him that he ended up smothered by them, suffocated to death by the gifts of his admirers.

Read more: Ancient Origins

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#culture#deaths#history#world
> More Culture

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Mitsotakis’ first review for 2026: The international community cannot ignore authoritarian regimes

January 11, 2026

Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, dies at 78

January 11, 2026

Sports broadcasts of the day: Aris – AEK and the Real Madrid – Barcelona final stand out

January 11, 2026

How the “civilized” Americans exterminated the “barbarian” Apache Indians:The ten-year war that began with a misunderstanding

January 11, 2026

Weather: Temperature plunge of up to 10 degrees from today through Tuesday – Where it will snow

January 11, 2026

Who is Maryam Rajavi, presented as a “ready-made solution” for the day after Iran, her movement, and its financial backing

January 11, 2026

AADE: Six new digital “weapons” against tax evasion in 2026

January 11, 2026

The US ready to help Iranians, says Trump – Officials discussed scenarios for an airstrike

January 10, 2026
All News

> World

Who is Maryam Rajavi, presented as a “ready-made solution” for the day after Iran, her movement, and its financial backing

The risk of the “ready-made solution” – The exiled Maryam Rajavi is not the most popular option for Iran, but the most organized

January 11, 2026

The US ready to help Iranians, says Trump – Officials discussed scenarios for an airstrike

January 10, 2026

“I am preparing to return”: The exiled son of the Shah of Iran wants to sit on the Peacock Throne, and the protests are his opportunity — he calls for an uprising

January 10, 2026

Bloodshed in Iran: Doctor speaks of 217 dead from the unrest, “we are at war,” says Tehran

January 10, 2026

The Syrian army bombs Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo and calls on Kurdish fighters to surrender

January 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα