Rome History of poison

a bust of roman emperor nero, used cyanide dispose of unwanted family members

in roman times, poisoning carried out @ dinner table or common eating or drinking area not unheard of, or uncommon, , happening 331 bc. these poisonings have been used self-advantageous reasons in every class of social order. writer livy describes poisoning of members of upper class , nobles of rome, , roman emperor nero known have favored use of poisons on relatives, hiring personal poisoner. preferred poison said cyanide.

nero s predecessor, claudius, allegedly poisoned mushrooms or alternatively poison herbs. however, accounts of way claudius died vary greatly. halotus, taster, gaius stertinius xenophon, doctor, , infamous poisoner locusta have been accused of possibly being administrator of fatal substance, agrippina, final wife, considered have arranged murder , may have administered poison herself. report died after prolonged suffering following single dose @ evening meal, while recovered somewhat, poisoned once more feather dipped in poison pushed down throat under pretense of helping him vomit, or poisoned gruel or enema. agrippina considered murderer, because ambitious son, nero, , claudius had become suspicious of intrigues.