5 most bizarre deaths in history
We all want to be remembered when we’re no longer around, and ideally, we’d like to be remembered for something good.
The people you’re about to meet certainly fill the first criteria, but sadly, rather than being remembered for their achievements (or their sins, for that matter), they’ve earned themselves a place in the history books for something else entirely.
Here, we’re taking a look at the stories behind some of history’s most unusual deaths.
1. Overeating
We’ve all overindulged once or twice, but we’ve got nothing on Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden, who died at the age of 60 after an unbelievably huge meal. His final feast included lobster, caviar, sauerkraut, kippers, champagne and 14 (yes, 14) servings of his favourite dessert – semla, a traditional Swedish sweet, almond cream-filled bun, served in a bowl of hot milk. We can think of worse ways to go!
2. Kicking a safe
Jack Daniel, the founder of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey distillery, died from blood poisoning at the age of 62. How it happened, however, is quite a story. You see, Daniel couldn’t remember the combination to his safe and kicked it out of frustration. The injury was so severe, it left him with a limp and considerable pain. The foot was eventually amputated, but the surrounding area became gangrenous.
3. Laughter
People say they’re “dying of laughter” all the time, but who knew it could actually happen? Around 206 BC, ancient Greek philosopher Chrysippus of Soli died after a night of fun and drinking. While watching a donkey eat some figs, he cried, “Now give the donkey a drink of pure wine to wash down the figs”. Chrysippus found his joke so funny, he died of laughter.
4. Having a beard
Hans Steininger, the mayor of the small Austrian town of Braunau am Inn, took great pride in his impressive 1.4-metre-long beard, which reached to his feet. He usually kept it rolled up into a pouch, but one fateful day in 1567, he decided to let the majestic facial hair flow free. On September 28, when a large fire broke out in town, Steininger ran for his life, accidentally tripping on his beard and falling down a flight of stairs, breaking his neck.
5. Politeness
Sometimes, kindness really can kill. In 1601, Danish nobleman and astronomer Tycho Brahe attended a banquet in Prague. He ate, drank and eventually, as we all do, eventually needed to pee – desperately. Unfortunately, Brahe refused to leave the table as it would have been a breach of etiquette. When he returned home, he found he was unable to urinate except in tiny quantities and with excruciating pain. 11 days later, at the age of 54, he passed away.