medievalistsnet:Poison and the Roman version of “Breaking Bad” ;) ~SPoisons, Poisoning and the Drug
medievalistsnet:Poison and the Roman version of “Breaking Bad” ;) ~SPoisons, Poisoning and the Drug Trade in Ancient RomeL. Cilliers and F.P. Retief (University of the Free State)Akroterion: Vol.45 (2000)AbstractThe 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… -- source link
Tumblr Blog : medievalistsnet.tumblr.com