Death by Gold

Westeros is a fictional continent in the television series "Game of Thrones". The Fans of Game of Thrones know that, in Westeros, death is almost always grisly. The show had a scene where Viserys Targaryen was killed by pouring model gold over his head.

 

This may seem terrible, though real-life history one-ups it. Centuries ago, the execution technique didn’t involve pouring molten gold over the condemned, but actually pouring it down the throat was the preferred means of death by molten metal.

 

Horrific as this sounds, it begs the question: just what killed the victim? Was it the hot gold itself, the steam, perhaps suffocation? 

 

Having molten lead or gold poured down the throat, is a pretty sure way to die: it might rupture your organs, burn your lungs and choke you. Ultimately, though, it's probably the steam that pulls the plug. 

 

 

The earliest record of this happening is from around 90 BC, and the person to suffer this fate was an astoundingly wealthy Roman general named Manius Aquillius. He was defeated in the First Mithridatic War and then captured by Mithridates VI Eupator, who then ordered his execution by pouring molten gold down his throat.

 

He died this way, as was Roman Emperor Valerian, the Elder (though there are few others contest that he was flayed alive).

 

The Spanish inquisitors as well as few tribes in South America used this technique as one corrupt, gold-loving Spanish Governor found out in 1599.

 

The said Spanish governor in the colonial settlement of Logroño was executed this way by the native Jivaro tribe. The governor had been cheating the natives in their gold trade, which led to a revolt. Around 25,000 Spaniards were massacred, and the governor was captured, and then executed by pouring gold down his throat.

 

 

There is also a rumour that Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus was also executed this way, because he was a rich man and the Parthians chose to kill him that way because of his greed, but this rumours doesn’t have very reliable sources. However, the other two cases are absolutely true. It is also said that this method was much more common than the documented instances of it being practised.

 

However it is disturbing to realise the cruelty & barbarism we humans are capable of and get pleasure to invent horrific ways to kill someone inflicting enormous pain and suffering.

 

@ Yeshwant Marathe

yeshwant.marathe@gmail.com

 

Thanks : Prashant Naik for initial inputs

 

Leave a comment



Sunil Patki

5 days ago

Nice information

Ajit Gokhale

5 days ago

Indeed.....we Humans have done horrific things in past and are doing similar things even now.... through different wars and crimes.

It burdens ones mind and soul.

vidya Apte

5 days ago

OMG . Breath taking . Difficult to believe . Human beings can go to any extreme to inftict pain on others .
Thanx for sharing this info .

Paresh

4 days ago

I wonder why they chose such an expensive and difficult method to kill their enemies? Surely they knew of cheaper and quicker methods of killing?

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