History's Crazy Rich Ancients

Dangerous Game

20 min

The prized possessions of some of history's richest people haven't been castles, jewels, or fine art, but something more exotic.

Gold Fever

21 min

Gold has always been the ultimate status symbol. It’s beautiful, virtually indestructible, and above all, incredibly rare. For these ancient figures, acquiring–and spending–huge stockpiles of gold was an all-consuming passion.

Maximum Security

20 min

The philosopher Biggie Smalls once said, mo money, mo problems–and no problem has loomed larger for history’s crazy rich than how to keep themselves–and their multi-million dollar homes–safe and secure. These three figures broke the bank on security features designed to prevent break-ins.

Unreal Estates

20 min

We expect homes of rich people to be nice. We expect the homes of extremely rich people to be remarkable. As for these three crazy rich ancients? They built palaces that are literally some of the largest, most luxurious buildings to ever grace the surface of the earth.

Mega Mausoleums

20 min

Here’s a stone cold fact that not even the richest mega-millionaires can avoid: we’re all gonna die. These ancients realized they were destined to spend more time in the tomb than the throne room and spent big to build luxurious final resting places for themselves and their loved ones.

Power Couples

20 min

The average American couple will drop five figures on their wedding. That wouldn’t even begin to cover the tab that these big spending couples racked up while throwing history’s most baller nuptial celebrations.

Holy Rollers

20 min

The Bible says it’s harder for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven, but that didn’t stop these high rollers from trying. Meet the ancients who bankrolled the construction of massive churches and temples in an attempt to buy their way past the pearly gates.

Sick Rides

20 min

Whether it’s private planes, private trains, or gold-plated limousines, the mega-rich have always flaunted their wealth by buying luxury vehicles. Even when the only vehicles to buy were boats, chariots, and horse-drawn carriages.

We Built This City

20 min

All rich people have the money to build a dream house. The richest people who have ever lived have the resources to dream a lot bigger. These industrial tycoons wouldn’t settle for building a single home because they had the resources–and power–to create entire cities from scratch.