How Did Crassus Die?

Question: How Did Crassus Die?

Crassus is said to have have been greedy. As Plutarch says: "before he went upon his Parthian expedition, he found his possessions to amount to seven thousand one hundred talents; most of which, if we may scandal him with a truth, he got by fire and rapine, making his advantages of the public calamities." He died in pursuit of wealth from Asia.

Answer: Crassus was the richest of the three Romans in the first Triumvirate: Pompey, Crassus, and Julius Caesar. Even so he was considered greedy. Crassus invaded Parthia with seven legions, but was defeated at the Battle of Carrhae in June 53 B.C. His son committed suicide, but Crassus tried to escape. He died in a scuffle, possibly killed by Pomaxathres. Seven Roman eagles wound up in Parthian hands, making this a defeat on the order of Teutoberg and Allia. The winning general, the Parthian Surena, sent Crassus' body to the Parthian King Hyrodes, according to Plutarch. According to other sources, the Parthian king received the dead body and poured molten gold down Crassus' throat to punish him for his greed. See Plutarch's Life of Crassus.