How people were killed by Manius Aquillius

Before the rise of modern humanism in the mid-17th century, disrespecting the ruling class in Europe and Asia might result in a horrifyingly cruel execution. Much of the civilised world now condemns such "cruel and unusual punishments," and they are illegal. Nonetheless, public torture killings for persons judged deserving of them were formerly the norm. Manius Aquillius (88 BC)!
image.pngAquillius rose to fame as a commander in the late Roman Republic, winning the Battle of Aquae Sextae in 101 BC. He was defeated in combat at Protostachium in 88 BC and sought to flee to Italy. He made it as far as the Greek island of Lesbos, where he was caught and handed over to his adversary, Mithridates. Aquillius was put on a donkey and paraded back to Pergamon for his humiliation. He was killed there by having molten gold poured down his neck. The specifics of his execution method were not documented, but it is fair to infer that the gold quickly burned its way through his internal organs. This would have resulted in his oesophagus being damaged.