Crassus, in fact, would be the one coughing up (molten) gold

Explanation: In the Late Roman Republic, the famously wealthy Roman politician Crassus embarked on a campaign against the Parthian (Persian) Empire. While his immense political influence (and wealth) allowed him to force support through the Roman government, it was widely regarded, even by the standards of Romans of the time, as an unprovoked and unjust war started purely for glory and profit. One priest went so far as to call the wrath of the gods down on Crassus’s campaign as he left Rome.

Crassus and his army, through a series of unforced errors, ended up surrounded by a Parthian cavalry detachment. His men, unwilling to be indefinite pincushions, forced Crassus to negotiate for surrender terms - the circumstances of the ensuing negotiations are unclear, but ended with Crassus dead.

By some accounts, the Parthians killed him by pouring molten gold down his throat, to satisfy his infamously limitless greed.

While probably untrue, it’s a great story to tell by the campfire as the Roman prisoners are passing by!