The idea of a judicial system embodies a civilized society. When a crime occurs, people turn to authorities for justice instead of taking matters into their own hands. But the history of trials includes some truly bizarre cases, especially when the defendants aren’t even human. Let’s delve into ten instances where unexpected objects and animals were brought before a judge.
Buphonia
In Ancient Athens, a city-state proud of its sophisticated laws, there was an annual ritual known as Buphonia, where a weapon was put on trial. This involved the sacrifice of an ox to honor Zeus on the Acropolis. An ax would be ritually sharpened, and grain set out for a group of oxen. The ox that ate the grain first would be struck on the head with the ax.
Killing animals that labored was forbidden by ancient law. Each year after the sacrifice, a trial was held to find who broke the law. Everyone involved blamed each other until only the ax remained. Some accounts say the ax was found innocent, while others claim a knife was tried and found guilty, then thrown into the sea to cleanse the city.
Trial of a Javelin
Religious pollution was a significant concern in ancient Greece. If a criminal escaped punishment, the gods might bring wrath upon the community. After a person died, identifying the culprit for banishment was crucial. But what if the criminal was an object?
Antiphon, a 5th-century BC speech writer from Athens, provided legal arguments. One case involved the accidental death of a boy in a gymnasium during javelin practice. The question was, who was to blame? The boy who threw the javelin, the one who got in its path, or the javelin itself?
The outcome of this case remains unknown.
Bronze Bull
Committing a crime within a temple was a major sacrilege in ancient Greece. Anything that defiled a holy site could upset the balance between gods and humans. When a murder occurred at Olympia, someone had to be punished.
A bronze bull, donated in honor of the gods, stood within the sacred space. One day, a child playing in the temple crouched under it, stood up, hit his head on the bull’s belly, and died. The citizens faced a dilemma: could they punish an object given to the gods? The bull was put on trial with the gods as judge. Apollo, through his prophetess at Delphi, advised leaving the bull but sacrificing a live one to cleanse the pollution.
A Hungry Pig
Pigs aren’t picky eaters. While they might just trample crops, sometimes their actions turn horrifying. In the Middle Ages, pigs often roamed streets, and if they found a defenseless person, they might eat them. Many cases exist of pigs eating babies and small children, leading to murder trials.
In 1457, in Savigny, France, a sow killed and ate a five-year-old boy. The pig and its owner were brought before a judge, who decided the owner should have secured the pig, but the sow was fully responsible. She was sentenced to death by hanging.
The sow had six piglets who might have been involved, but the judge showed them mercy due to their young age.
Weevils
The rules for animal trials were complex. Farm animals fell under secular courts, while wild animals were under divine control. Pests, like locusts, were tried in ecclesiastical courts.
In 1545, weevils attacked the vineyards of St. Julien in France. Winemakers brought the weevils before Francois Bonivard. Instead of punishment, the court decided the weevils were God’s punishment for the winemakers’ sins. They were ordered to pay church debts and attend masses for forgiveness.
When the weevils returned 40 years later, another trial was called. The weevils’ counsel argued that God allowed wild animals to eat leaves freely. The trial’s outcome is unknown as records were allegedly eaten by insects.
Exiled Bell
Russian Orthodox tradition believes church bells have souls. So, they can be held accountable and tried for their actions.
After Ivan the Terrible’s death in 1584, Boris Godunov became regent. A rival, Dmitri, was exiled to Uglich to prevent rebellion but was found murdered. The town bell rang, summoning soldiers against Godunov, blamed for the assassination.
Godunov suppressed the rebellion and put the bell on trial. It was dragged to the town square, “tortured” by removing its tongue and whipping it, then exiled to Siberia. The bell was pardoned in 1892 and returned to Uglich.
Confused Cockerel
Sometimes, a crime offends public morality without harming anyone. In 1474, in Basel, Switzerland, a male chicken laid an egg, causing uproar. The cock was tried for violating nature’s laws.
Besides defying God’s order, the rooster posed a threat. Eggs laid by roosters were believed to invoke curses or hatch into deadly creatures. The court condemned the cockerel and publicly executed it. Cutting it open revealed three more developing eggs, confirming its repeat offender status.
Beastly Bestiality
The Old Testament condemns humans having sex with animals. Leviticus (20:15) states that both the human and the animal should die. But not always.
In 1647, in the American colonies, Thomas Hogg was accused of sleeping with a sow because her piglets resembled him. He didn’t confess and escaped execution, as did the sow.
Jacques Ferron was accused of sleeping with a female donkey in 1750. While Ferron was hanged, locals, including the town priest, vouched for the donkey’s character. The donkey was deemed a victim and freed.
The Sow of Falaise
In 1386, in Falaise, France, a sow entered a peasant house and attacked a baby left sleeping alone. Upon discovering the crime, the pig was arrested, tried, and found guilty of murder.
The pig was dressed like a human for its execution. It paraded through the streets as the crowd watched. The executioner mutilated the pig’s face and broke its legs to mirror the baby’s injuries before hanging it.
Murderous Statue
Theagenes of Thasos was a celebrated athlete in the 5th century, winning over 1400 competitions. His strength was legendary, and a statue honored him after his death.
One man, unable to beat him, whipped the statue nightly. One night, the statue toppled on him and crushed him to death. The man’s children took the statue to court, and it was found guilty, dragged to a cliff, and thrown into the sea.
Years later, Thasos suffered famine. An oracle ordered the return of all exiles. When the famine continued, the oracle revealed they had forgotten Theagenes. His statue was recovered, and the famine ended.
These strange cases highlight how different societies have viewed justice, crime, and punishment throughout history. Whether it’s holding animals accountable or inanimate objects, these trials offer a peek into the unique beliefs of past civilizations.
What do you think about these bizarre trials? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
