531569 Phalaris, Tyrant of Agrigentum, Sicily, c570 BC commissioned Perillus of Athens to make a brazen bull in which to execute criminals. The victims were shut up in the bull then baked alive when fires were lit underneath. Phalaris tested out the vile invention on Perillus who thus became the first victim of his own ingenuity. 6th century BC.; (add.info.: Phalaris, Tyrant of Agrigentum, Sicily, c570 BC commissioned Perillus of Athens to make a brazen bull in which to execute criminals. The victims were shut up in the bull then baked alive when fires were lit underneath. Phalaris tested out the vile invention on Perillus who thus became the first victim of his own ingenuity. 6th century BC.); Universal History Archive/UIG; out of copyright.