Five Toxic Tales of Poison in the Ancient World
Throughout human history, poison has played a crucial role, serving purposes in murder, execution, and medicine. Ancient texts by figures such as Homer, Plato, and Pliny the Elder frequently mention poisons. The Scythians are notable for their use of snake venom on arrowheads for biological warfare. Socrates faced execution by hemlock in Athens in 399 BC, a detail recorded by Plato. King Mithridates VI of Pontus (c. 120-63 BC) researched poisons in an effort to gain immunity but ultimately failed in his suicide attempt. Following her defeat by Octavian, Cleopatra took her life with an asp in 30 BC. In AD 19, Germanicus Caesar (15 BC-AD 19) died, with suspicions of poisoning by Gnaeus Piso, who subsequently took his own life.
Key facts
- Scythians used snake venom to poison arrows, as described by Pseudo Aristotle.
- Socrates was executed by drinking hemlock in 399 BC in Athens.
- Mithridates VI of Pontus (c. 120-63 BC) studied poisons and antidotes, and was cured by the Agari using snake venom.
- Cleopatra committed suicide with an asp in 30 BC after Octavian's victory.
- Germanicus Caesar died in AD 19, possibly poisoned by Gnaeus Piso.
- Drusus the Younger died in AD 23, reportedly poisoned by his wife Livilla and Sejanus.
- The Celts used a poison called 'arrow drug' for hunting.
- The Psylli were a North African tribe known for their knowledge of venomous snakes and cures.
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