Pontus, Mithridates, and Theriacas

Toxicology in Antiquity: Mithridates VI

Introduction

• Mithridates VI ruled Pontus in northeastern Turkey from 120 B.C.

• Experimented with toxins and antidotes, including on himself.

Background

• His father was murdered with poison.

• His mother planned to poison him to seize the throne, leading him to hide for years.

Use of Poison

• Returned to power by using poison (likely arsenic).

• Feared assassination by poisoning; ingested small doses of toxins to build tolerance.

Universal Antidote

• Sought to create a universal antidote, which came to be known as a theriac.

• Developed Mithridatium, a mixture of tiny amounts of deadly poisons and antidotes.

Death

• Ingested poison to end his life but did not die.

• According to one account, he asked his bodyguard to impale him with a sword when he wanted to die.