I haven't either. Even Byzantine politics, which are known for
  subterfuge by reputation, did not reach this level.

  it *does* happen on a much smaller scale:
  [1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUcDdUG22JU
  A fascinating recreation of Cicero and the first known
  conspiracy trial, foundation for conspiracy accounts that
  followed, whether real or fictional, for the next 2000 years.

References

  Visible links
  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUcDdUG22JU