In Ancient Rome, law-breakers could be punished by fighting with wild animals, like a lion, in Coliseum. That was what Imperator Gallienus ordained for a negotiant who sold false jewelry to his wife. But standing at the arena the negotiant saw a hen coming out of the cage, instead of a lion. That made the crowd laugh. “He lied and he was told the lie”, Gallienus said and let the negotiant go.