It is related (by
Vonnegut, no less) that Heliogabalus would arrange a particularly
revolting entertainment at his
dinners/
orgies.
At the center of the room a hollow cast-iron bull would be set up, into which a person (slave, political opponent, jilted lover) would be inserted. A fire would be lit underneath and as dinner progressed the iron would heat up. 'Round about the fourth course the unfortunate inside would be unable to bear the agony, and much hilarity ensued among the guests at the amusing sounds coming from the statue.
Kinda makes me feel a little better about Donald Trump. Seriously, it underscores the supreme importance of the "inalienable rights" clause. When a society degenerates to a point where some people are considered inherently better than others, this sort of atrocity is not far off.