![]() The most celebrated theriac was one prepared for Roman Emperor Nero (37–68 CE) by imperial physician and botanist Andromachus. Then, like now, branding mattered and everyone seemed to have their favourite theriac. A theraic’s container could be expensive and ornate – like the fabulously intricate gilded jar shown above. Having a theriac, which was ingested or used topically, can be thought of as having a well-stocked medicine cabinet in a single jar. 3 Then, like now, there were a plethora of accidental poisonings. Theriac formulations span cultures and centuries because poisonings occurred fairly often in the ancient world. Poisonings in antiquity were not only murders, executions, assassinations and suicides – though there were plenty of those. We might be tempted to look back to ancient times with rose coloured glasses and see only delights, when the truer picture includes significant dangers. Later formulations expanded to (hopefully) guard against all manner of poison. As its name suggests, coming from the Greek word theia (wild beasts), theriacs were thought to protect from toxins of certain animals. Mithridatum falls into a long line of universal antidotes known as theriacs. Theriac formulations span cultures and centuries because poisonings occurred fairly often in the ancient world Opium poppy sap contains morphine, an important compound in pain management – but one that requires great care-in-use given that it is addictive. The boswellic acids in frankincense resin have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects. Cinnamon also contains eugenol, an antibacterial agent and local anaesthetic long used in dentistry. For instance, both cinnamon and cassia contain coumarin, a chemical compound found in a variety of plants that proved pivotal in the development of the anticoagulation medicine warfarin. John’s wort, saffron, walnuts, carrot, cardamom, anise, opium and more.Īs discussed in the fascinating book Toxicology in Antiquity, chemicals in these ingredients have since been found to provide medicinal benefit or have a link to modern medicines. Mithridatum’s ingredient list is thought to have included cinnamon, cassia, frankincense, myrrh, honey, garlic, musk, rue, tannin, Lemnian earth, wine, charcoal, ginger, rhubarb, St. It’s likely that the toxins present – probably insect and reptile venoms, arsenic, mercury and others – were in tiny, non-lethal amounts. Like Mithridates’ practice of self-dosing with poisons and protectors, Mithridatum contained both toxins and their counterparts. 2 With approximately 40 ingredients, it certainly aimed to protect Mithridates and his friends from ‘all poisons and toxins’. ![]() Mithridates’ personal physician Crateuas, perhaps collaborating with his ruler, formulated a much sought-after universal antidote and dubbed it ‘ Mithridatum’. His practice of taking a bit of poison regularly toward acquiring a tolerance bears his name – mithridatism. 1 His experimental methods would now be considered dubious at best, including self-dosing with poisons and their supposed antidotes. Mithridates has been called the first experimental toxicologist, with his primary goal being the creation of ‘a “universal antidote” to make himself and his friends immune to all poisons and toxins’. Mithridates’ fears spurred him to action – both as poisoner and poison scholar. His father was poisoned by his enemies and it has been said he had good reason to fear his mother would dispatch him in the same fashion. His name was Mithridates VI (c.132–63 BCE) and, like his father before him, he became King of Pontus, a state along the Black Sea. Source: Courtesy of the J Paul Getty MuseumĪs ornate as the life-saving mixtures they contained: 16th-century jars for mithridatum (left) and theriac (right)
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