The Visigoths demanded a tonne of pepper as ransom in 408 AD.

Evidence

When Visigoths attacked the city of Rome in AD 408, they were induced to leave only on the payment of a huge ransom that included gold, silver, large quantities of silk and one further luxury – a tonne of pepper. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 641

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 641