Battle of Carrhae

Marcus Licinius Crassus, the richest man in Rome and member of the First Triumvirate, led seven legions into the Mesopotamian desert where they were annihilated by Parthian horse archers and cataphracts under Surena. The Parthian archers used the famous 'Parthian shot,' firing arrows while retreating, to devastate the trapped Romans. Crassus was killed, and according to legend, the Parthians poured molten gold down his throat to mock his legendary greed.