6. Molten metal was used as a device for punishment
Queen Parysatis was said to have poured molten metal into the ears and on the eyes of those convicted of lying. Molten metal was stressed in ancient Zoroastrian texts as a means of determining the purity of an individual’s soul, with it being placed on the body of those pure of heart and causing no discomfort, though those guilty of lying and following the lies of others would find it detrimental to their health. The story of the use of molten metal by Queen Parysatis is almost certainly apocryphal, though many believe that the Persians used molten metal – including gold – as a means of punishing criminals within the empire.
The myth that the Persians poured molten metals into the body cavities of victims likely began with the story of the Roman Emperor Valerian, who was captured by the Persian King Shapur I, who used the Roman as a personal servant. After several months of captivity Shapur allegedly killed his Roman counterpart by pouring melted gold down his throat, and then had the body stuffed and displayed. The myth of execution by gold was created by Roman authors hostile to the Persians. In fact, Valerian was held for a time along with his soldiers to assist in various engineering projects near the city of Bishapur where they helped erect Caesar’s Dam. When the dam was completed they were released.
