- Smeared with Honey
Pepi II ruled during the Sixth Dynasty in Egypt’s Old Kingdom. Scholars believe he holds the record for the longest reign in Egypt. He ascended to the throne at age six and stayed there for 94 years. But that’s not why he is on the list.
Pharaoh Pepi II hated flies. Really, really hated flies. He hated them so much that he designated a slave in his sizeable entourage to be stripped naked and covered in honey every day. The idea was for the Slave attracts the flies who’d become stuck to the honey and therefore be unable to bother Pepi while he ate.
This worked so well that Pepi ordered a honey covered slave to Stand in every room of his palace like really weird fly paper so that he’d never be bothered by flies again.