The first recorded instance of poisoning in ancient Rome occurred in 331 BC when, during an epidemic, a large number of women were accused of concerted mass poisoning. Overreaction of the community in times of stress particularly, when scapegoats for unexplained phenomena are sought, might have played an important role in this and many subsequent incidents of suspected poisoning. Rome represented a culture steeped in superstition, fear and mythology with virtually no scientific means of retrospectively proving or disproving alleged poisoning. The drug trade in antiquity is briefly reviewed, from the Marsi and rootcutters who collected materials, and the intermediary herbalists and drug pedlars, to the physicians and other prescribers of drugs. There was a general lack of proper knowledge, which led to much abuse and death of patients. The distinction between these professional groups was often vague and physicians were generally not held in high regard. From authoritative writings of Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Pliny and others it is evident that the Romans were aware of a very large number of toxic (and assumed toxic) substances, of plant, animal and mineral origin, but it is evident that the poisoners of ancient Rome almost exclusively made use of plant (and to lesser extent animal) products, and not mineral poisons. A brief overview of the recorded crimes by poison, and known poison dispensers of the time is given. Poisoning probably reached a maximum during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when the Julio-Claudian emperors in particular achieved great notoriety, and a wide variety of specific and “universal” antidotes came into vogue. POISONS, POISONING AND THE DRUG TRADE IN ANCIENT ROME L Cilliers & F P Retief (University of the Free State) SUMMARY The first recorded instance of poisoning in ancient Rome occurred in 331 BC when, during an epidemic, a large number of women were accused of concerted mass poisoning. Overreaction of the community in times of stress particularly, when scapegoats for unexplained phenomena are sought, might have played an important role in this and many subsequent incidents of suspected poisoning. Rome represented a culture steeped in superstition, fear and mytholog y with virtually no scientific means of retrospectively proving or disproving alleged poisoning. The drug trade in antiquity is briefly revi ewed, from the Marsi and rootcutters who collected materials, and the intermediary herbalists and drug pedlars, to the physicians and other prescribers of drugs. There was a general lack of proper knowledge, which led to much abuse and death of patients. The distinction between these professional groups was often vague and physicians were generally not held in high regard. From authoritative writings of Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Pliny and others it is evident that the Romans were aware of a very large number of toxic (and assumed toxic) substances, of plant, animal and mineral origin, but it is evident that the poisoners of ancient Rome almost exclusively made use of plant (and to lesser extent animal) products, and not mineral poisons. A brief overview of the recorded crimes by poison, and known poison dispensers of the time is given. Poisoning probably reached a maximum during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when the Julio-Claudian emperors in particul ar achieved great notoriety, and a wide variety of specific and “universal” antidotes came into vogue. The history of poisons and poisoning goes back about 5 000 year s to the earliest written records of the human race. Menes, first of the Phar aohs, approximately 3 000 years BC studied and cultivated poisonous and medi cinal plants – an interest retained by the Egyptian court (Smith 1952:153), until the last Pharaoh, Cleopatra, probably died of suicide by poisoning (Retief & Cilliers 1999:8-11). The cuneiform writings of early Mesopotamia mention the use of poisons – a topic also dealt with in the written records of ancient India and China. Early Greek myths tell of poisoners like Medea and Hercules’ wife Deianira, and in the 5th century BC execution by poison was accepted in Athenian law courts. In the Hippocratic oath, nevertheless, the students of the great master are made to swear that they will not use poison (Lloyd 1983:67). The Persian court was proficient in the art of poisoning (Smith 1952:155), while Mithridates VI, king of Pontus at the turn of the first century BC and Attalus III, last king of Pergamum in the second century, experimented with poisons on condemned prisoners (Bloch 1987: 761-763). In Rome the first record of poisoning dates back to 331 BC when a large number of women were execute d for suspected mass poisoning. Although we shall Akroterion 45 (2000) 88-100 http://akroterion.journals.ac.za CILLIERS & RETIEF 96 Antidotes There was an ardent belief in the power of antidotes against venom s, and a plethora of antidotes against specific toxic substances. The vast majority of these were certainly ineffectual. Mithridates VI (120-63 BC) lived in great fear of assassination by poisoning, and invented a “universal” antidote which became widely known as mithridatum. The formula was a closely guarded secret, but when Mithridates was conquered by Pompey, the formula was found to be an unimpressive compound of rue, salt, nuts and figs. In order to sustain the reputation, the formula was expanded progressively – and Galen’s prescription eventually consisted of 75 substances (including viper’s flesh) (Smith 1952:155). Mithridatum, and the related theriac, remained popular until at least the 18th century. They appear to have done no harm (Smith 1952:155; Kaufman 1932:163-165; Horstmanshoff 1992:42; Nutton 1985:139-143). In the heyday of poisoning in ancient Rome these remedies were regularly taken by those who co nsidered themselves potential victims. Suetonius (Nero 33.3 and 34) claimed that Nero could not poiso n his mother, Agrippina,