History's Crazy Rich Ancients

When it comes to throwing parties, history's richest figures have always picked going big over going home.

When you're one of the richest people to ever live, no price is too high to pay for an object of desire, no matter how expensive-or strange-it may be.

These are the mega-moneyed gourmands who spent jaw-dropping sums in pursuit of the rarest, the richest, and the most forbidden food and drink money could buy.

Meet the monarchs and millionaires who spent their fortunes collecting wild animals.

Gold has always been the ultimate status symbol. For these ancient figures, acquiring and spending huge stockpiles of gold was an all-consuming passion.

These three figures broke the bank on security features designed to prevent break-ins.

These three crazy rich ancients built palaces that are literally some of the largest, most luxurious buildings ever.

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.

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.

Meet the ancients who bankrolled the construction of massive churches and temples in an attempt to buy their way past the pearly gates.

Whether it's private planes, private trains, or gold-plated limousines, the mega-rich have always flaunted their wealth by buying luxury vehicles.

These industrial tycoons wouldn't settle for building a single home: they had the resources-and power-to create entire cities from scratch.