The world has seen its share of tyrannic rulers. Kings and queens, over centuries, have abused their powers, inflicting human torture over their subjects. However, there have been instances, where rulers, although have abused their powers, have done it in the most ridiculous fashion you can imagine. Albeit, such abuse of power have caused trouble for the subjects but you can’t help but laugh in retrospect at such ridiculous acts of atrocities. Let’s check them out. Frederick William I of Prussia – had a thing for tall guys: The Prussian was really into tall guys and wanted nobody less than a giant in his army. However, he soon realized that his kingdom had already recruited all the seven footers they had but he was far from done. Therefore, Frederick William 1 of Prussia started kidnapping tall men from other parts of Europe and formed his army of seven footers which he called “Potsdamer Riesengarde” (the giant guard of Postdam). However, the Germans secretly mocked them as the Lange Kerls or the “long guys”. By the way, the army never fought a battle because they were too precious to the King.

Nero – bored people with his art

Nero, the Roman Emperor from 54 to 68 AD is known for stories where he gleefully plays the lyre while Rome burns and many other such tales of atrocities. However, there is one side of this emperor that will have you in splits. Nero, a trained artist, wanted desperately to exhibit his talent but had to refrain because such acts were not considered royal in those times.

Therefore, Nero would range for sporting events where there would be a music and art category so that he can participate and win. It is said that people would invent excuses to escape the boring art shows and music of Nero – old people would fake heart attacks while women would fake labor pains.