Toxicology in Antiquity

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• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2018
• eBook ISBN: 9780128153406
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Toxicology

Toxicology in Antiquity provides an authoritative and fascinating exploration into the use of toxins and poisons in antiquity. It brings together the two previously published shorter volumes on the topic, as well as adding considerable new information. Part of the History of Toxicology and Environmental Health series, it covers key accomplishments, scientists, and events in the broad field of toxicology, including environmental health and chemical safety. This first volume sets the tone for the series and starts at the very beginning, historically speaking, with a look at toxicology in ancient times. The book explains that before scientific research methods were developed, toxicology thrived as a very practical discipline. People living in ancient civilizations readily learned to distinguish safe substances from hazardous ones, how to avoid these hazardous substances, and how to use them to inflict harm on enemies. It also describes scholars who compiled compendia of toxic agents. New chapters in this edition focus chiefly on evidence for the use of toxic agents derived from religious texts.- Provides the historical background for understanding modern toxicology- Illustrates the ways previous civilizations learned to distinguish safe from hazardous substances, how to avoid the hazardous substances and how to use them against enemies- Explores the way famous historical figures used toxins- New chapters focus on evidence of the use of toxins derived from religious texts

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• List of Contributors
• Foreword
• Preface to the Series and Volumes 1 and 2
• Preface
• Chapter 1. The Prehistory of Poison Arrows
• Chapter 2. Beetle and Plant Arrow Poisons of the San People of Southern Africa
• Chapter 3. Toxicology in Ancient Egypt
• Chapter 4. The Death of Cleopatra: Suicide by Snakebite or Poisoned by Her Enemies?
• Chapter 5. Kohl Use in Antiquity: Effects on the Eye
• Chapter 6. Nicander, Thêriaka, and Alexipharmaka: Venoms, Poisons, and Literature
• Chapter 7. The Case Against Socrates and His Execution
• Chapter 8. Murder, Execution, and Suicide in Ancient Greece and Rome
• Chapter 9. The Oracle at Delphi: The Pythia and the Pneuma, Intoxicating Gas Finds, and Hypotheses
• Chapter 10. Alexander the Great: A Questionable Death
• Chapter 11. Mithridates of Pontus and His Universal Antidote
• Chapter 12. Theriaca Magna: The Glorious Cure-All Remedy
• Chapter 13. The Gates to Hell in Antiquity and their Relation to Geogenic CO2 Emissions
• Chapter 14. Lead Poisoning and the Downfall of Rome: Reality or Myth?
• Chapter 15. Poisons, Poisoners, and Poisoning in Ancient Rome
• Chapter 16. Chemical and Biological Warfare in Antiquity
• Chapter 17. Asclepius and the Snake as Toxicological Symbols in Ancient Greece and Rome
• Chapter 18. Anthropogenic Air Pollution in Ancient Times
• Chapter 19. Poisoning in Ancient Rome: Images and Rules
• Chapter 20. “Gleaming and Deadly White”: Toxic Cosmetics in the Roman World
• Chapter 21. Cherchez la Femme: Three Infamous Poisoners of Ancient Rome
• Chapter 22. Did Hannibal Really Poison Himself?
• Chapter 23. Drugs, Suppositories, and Cult Worship in Antiquity
• Chapter 24. Entheogens in Ancient Times: Wine and the Rituals of Dionysus
• Chapter 25. Entheogens (Psychedelic Drugs) and the Ancient Mystery Religions
• Chapter 26. Ancient Mystery Initiation: Toxic Priestesses and Vaginal Communion
• Chapter 27. Harmful Botanicals
• Chapter 28. Pearl, An Ancient Antidote of Eastern Origin
• Chapter 29. Rhetoric, Demons, and the Poisoner’s Tongue in Judaism and Early Christianity
• Chapter 30. Poisonous Medicine in Ancient China
• Chapter 31. Toxicity of Ayurvedic Medicines and Safety Concerns: Ancient and Modern Perspectives
• Chapter 32. Mushroom Intoxication in Mesoamerica
• Index