10 Incredible Ways People Faced Up To Their Own Death

8. Dian Wei (197 AD)... Killed Dozens Of Men With His Bare Hands In Order To Protect His Leader

Dian Wei was one of the most feared military officers in the late Eastern Han dynasty - renowned for his strength due to the fact he carried around two huge "jis" (halberd-like weapons) in order to kill his enemies.

Serving under the warlord Cao Cao, Wei was killed during the Battle of Wancheng as he heroically covered his leader's escape from Zhang Xiu's forces. The rebellion, led by Xiu, forced Cao Cao into a quick retreat - with Wei and just 12 men bravely standing in the way of the enemy soldiers.

Wei broke more than 10 enemy spears with just one swing of his ji, but his 12 soldiers were quickly killed - leaving him all alone to face the onslaught. Undeterred, Wei grabbed and killed two of Xiu's men with his bare hands - before rushing into the heart of the enemy soldiers and attacking them.

He suffered mortal wounds but continued fighting and swearing until his death - with Xiu's soldiers only prepared to decapitate him once they could be certain he had perished. Cao Cao ordered his men to recovered Wei's body and the leader personally honoured his bodyguard's grave every time he walked past it in the future.