30 Histories of Deranged Rulers Who Lost All Touch with Reality

The mention of rulers often brings images of majestic queens and valiant kings to mind. However, a deeper dive into history reveals a starkly different picture. Many rulers from the past bear a closer resemblance to villains of fairy tales—complete with twisted hunchbacks, deranged sorcerers, inept buffoons, and treacherous families. These leaders’ odd behaviors and practices, whether by nature or nurtured by their positions, suggest something was amiss.

The access to immense wealth can lead to moral decay, and the burden of decision-making for the welfare of the populace is heavy. Additionally, the constant presence of enemies wishing for their downfall can skew anyone’s priorities. This article explores some of the most peculiar rulers and unusual deeds they have done during their monarchy.

Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg

Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg faced immense pressure to produce a male heir for King Gustavus Adolphus. When she gave birth to a daughter, Christina, in 1626, her disappointment turned to madness.

Maria Eleonora called her own daughter a monster and is said to have tried to end Christina’s life on more than one occasion, including attempts to push her down stairs and to injure her severely. Her instability only worsened after the king’s death, as she refused to lay his body to rest for over a year, keeping his heart in a casket that hung above her bed.

Nero

Nero’s rule is infamous for its brutality and self-indulgence. Rising to power through the machinations of his mother, Agrippina, Nero quickly showed his ruthlessness by eliminating any perceived threats, including his mother and first wife, Octavia. Despite some initial reforms, Nero’s rule was marked by extreme hedonism and cruelty.

He is famously associated with the great fire of 64 AD, which destroyed much of Rome. While he blamed Christians for the disaster, starting a severe persecution, rumors persisted that he had a hand in the fire to clear space for his palace. His personal life was no less scandalous, including a marriage to a man resembling his deceased second wife.

Elagabalus

Elagabalus’s brief reign as Roman Emperor was a spectacle of cruelty and hedonism. Among his most notorious acts were releasing poisonous snakes into crowds, drowning dinner guests for amusement, and causing deadly scrambles for gold and silver.

His disregard for life extended to his own adviser, whom he murdered for suggesting moderation. Elagabalus’s reign is a dark spot in history, filled with acts that seemed to revel in the suffering of others.

Princess Alexandra of Bavaria

Princess Alexandra of Bavaria suffered from an unusual conviction that she had swallowed a glass grand piano as a child. This belief led her to navigate her world cautiously, moving sideways through doorways to avoid “breaking” the imaginary piano inside her.

This story is one of the most peculiar instances of the Glass Delusion. In this psychological condition, individuals believed themselves to be made of glass.