Volume 1 in Toxicology in Antiquity
2014, Pages 21–34
Chapter 3 – Mithridates of Pontus and His Universal Antidote
Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus (b. ca. 134 bc)
ruled a Black Sea Empire to rival the Roman Republic in a series of
wars that lasted decades. As Rome’s most dangerous enemy until his death
in 63 bc, Mithridates is recognized as
the first experimental toxicologist for his extensive investigations
into a vast number of poisons and antidotes. Fearing assassination by
poison, he gathered a team of botanists, physicians, and shamans seeking
to create a “universal antidote” that would protect him from all
poisons. Influenced by traditional theriacs and previous investigators
and with access to rich natural resources, Mithridates’ experiments
resulted in a formulation of more than 50 ingredients combining animal,
plant, and mineral toxins with antidotes. He made himself immune to
normally fatal amounts of arsenic and enjoyed robust health until forced
to commit suicide in his 70s. Efforts to replicate his famous Mithridatium made his antidote the most popular and long-lived prescription in history.
Keywords
- Alexander the Great
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