14 Weird Deaths In Ancient History

They say "Comedy = Tragedy + Time" but I would argue that "Tragedy + Time = Older Tragedy." Because these deaths are ancient but still pretty tragic. (Although, okay, some are just absurd. A tortoise falling on someone's head ... is funny.) The Ancient World seems hard to comprehend today. From volcano jumps to mercury pills, people even died in incomprehensible ways.

Read on for 14 examples of truly strange ways to die. If we can learn anything, it's to avoid pears at all costs.