#poison king of pontus

[mamelukeraza]

King Mithridates "the Great" VI of Pontus. my rendition n_n

[catilinas]

remember the scene in the grass crown where laodice (queen of pontus) tries to poison mithridates vi (king of pontus, famously immunised himself to all known poisons) at a banquet and he takes a sip and like. identifies And Criticises her choice of poison. for poisoning him. and then gets her to drink the rest of it :/ truly a book that you can read

[phoebepheebsphibs]

Yo I found the first short story I ever wrote and finished

It's a backstory / origin story for Peter Pan and Captain Hook⋆｡°✩

I also posted it to AO3

            Peter popped open his eyes to find himself staring straight into the grimy, oily face of a pirate. His head throbbed, and he was momentarily stunned as he tried to remember what had happened. The last thing he recalled was swimming on the shores with his friends, when suddenly, a cry rang out. All the boys started running and screaming that some sort of ambush was happening. And then without warning, a large club struck the back of Peter’s head, knocking him unconscious. Peter now found that he, along with his friends, was not only on the deck of a man o’ war boat, but they were in the captivity of the dreaded pirates that roamed about the island they called home. The pirate smiled a disgusting grin, complete with missing teeth and breath reminiscent of a herd of cows, and he said in a gravelly voice, “Good morning, sonny! How’s dat head o’ yours?”

Peter scrunched his face up at him, partly because he was infuriated at him for having the audacity to kidnap him and his friends, and partly because what was left of the pirate’s teeth were black and half-rotted.

“Leave ‘em be,” said an old, scruffy pirate. The old man who spoke had a white beard, and curly grey hair to match it. He also had an aura of wisdom and intelligence about him, as if he had been given an education (if and when he was a young boy, which was hard to believe). Under his leather jacket, he wore a blue and white striped shirt, though it was difficult to distinguish the color from all the grease stains and rum spilled on it. He held a pocket watch in his hand, wore shoes that had silver buckles on them, and a small, rusty sword hung by his side.

“The captain wants ‘em perfectly whole. No ruff housing. Now, how many are there?”

One of the younger pirates looked about and began counting them. “One, two, three, four… er, I believe that they are all here, sir, all sixteen of ‘em, sir.”

Peter looked around frantically, counting with him. There were only sixteen, but that couldn’t be right- there were seventeen boys. One was missing! Who was it? He started counting again; this time making sure to say their names along with them. As he began, he pondered his own name, and how plain it was in comparison. There was Nyx, sitting with his mouth gagged next to a fat pirate. Dioscuri, who was also gagged, sat next to Erebus, who wasn’t gagged, but instead had a blindfold over his eyes. Pontus was unbound and unconscious on Erebus’s arm, while Hermes and Aether were tied up together. Eros, Typhon, and Jason were tied at the wrists. Icarus- the youngest- was silently crying next to Coeus and Meleager, who were being carefully watched by two large pirates. Ares was blindfolded and gagged, and Aeneas was slumped next to a lanky pirate with one eye and a peg-leg. Bellerophon and Perseus were being restrained as they started to wake up… but where was Lernaean?

“Where is he?!” Peter shouted angrily. “Where is Lern?”

The pirates all started laughing at him until one came forwards and picked him up. “Best not waste your breath, youngin’, or else the captain will – “

Suddenly the older pirate, who seemed to be in charge, placed a hand on the pirate’s shoulder. “Leave ‘im alone, I said. The captain’s orders.”

“Aye, sir,” he answered, as he slowly placed Peter on his feet.

“And he’ll want to see that one. Come with me, lad,” the old pirate grumbled. Peter obeyed, seeing as he had no other choice. He took one last look at the other boys… and followed the scruffy pirate off the deck.

            Peter and the old pirate walked down from the deck and into the hull of the ship, which was surprisingly larger than he had expected. On every wall there were paintings of kings, monarchs, heroes from long ago, and even glass frames filled with an assortment of weapons. There were some frames that held poisons, ancient artifacts, a few interesting looking insects (at least he hoped they were insects, and not pixies, which were rumored to roam around this area), along with medals and trophies, which were no doubt stolen. Peter passed by a door with a lock that looked… broken.

“What’s in there?” he asked warily, wondering if the answer would be one he wouldn’t like. He was correct.

“Crocodile.” The word sent chills up and down his spine.

“A… a crocodile?”

“Yup. Big’un. Gonna’ sell him on the open market.” The old pirate said this so calmly and without feeling that it almost comforted Pete.

“Keep walking.”

Peter did as he was told. After a few seconds of silence, he worked up the courage to ask, “What’s your name?”

“Jedidiah Smee,” he said. His eyes were old and sad, as if some part of his life had been stolen away. “And your name is?”

“Peter,” he answered somewhat dejectedly.

“What’s with that tone in your voice?” Mr. Smee inquired. Peter hesitated at first, but then answered him. “All the other boys have names that are interesting and adventurous, but mine is so simple. So plain. I’ve been meaning to change it, but…”

Peter stopped after he felt the Smee pirate looking at him. His eyes had a curious gaze, and he sighed intensely.

“Boys,” he scolded, “always working everything into a big muddle. Listen here, lad, and listen good! Your name is an embodiment of who you are. You are not a representation of it, it is one of you. All those names you are thinking of, you’re only thinking of the people behind those names. Your name will mean something too, one day. But only if you put some meaning into it.”

Peter was shocked by Smee’s bluntness, but took it all in. He meant to continue the conversation somewhat more, but they had reached the captain’s quarters. He felt his mouth go dry as Smee took a heavy gold knocker and knocked on the door.

            A voice from the other side of the door answered, “Come in.”

Smee opened the large door, and shoved Pete inside of a room filled with beautiful paintings, a suit of armor in the corner, and an open closet filled with pistols, crossbows, cutlasses, and a small glass chest filled to the brim with diamonds, emeralds, and several other stones that Peter couldn’t possibly hope to know. Smee then slammed the door closed behind him. Pete instantly tried to get out but was interrupted by a familiar voice which said “Hello, Pete. How’ve you been, chap?”

Peter turned slowly to see a young lad, about his age, with sandy blonde hair, blue-green eyes, and an unforgettable smile which was thin and mischievous. The boy was around his size, maybe taller, though Pete never would have admitted it.

“Lernaean! You’re okay!”

When Peter had entered the room, Lern had been smiling; but now he had a most ugly scowl on his face.

“Do not call me that, please,” he said as he stepped out from behind the large desk in the center of the room. Peter was slightly baffled at this but became increasingly more so when he noticed his clothing. “Lern, your shirt… it’s… nice. I mean, it’s got gold thread! And brass buttons, and your belt is brass too, your boots are freshly polished, and that coat! It looks like the kind that kings would wear! What has happened? You look positively…”

“Smashing, no?” Lern asked, smiling proudly. He flashed the coat around to show it off. It was silk, red as blood roses, with white fluff all around the edges, and the interior was a vivid violet colored satin. He gave a smirk to Peter and stated that “Only men of high value and political savvy wear these garbs! What do you think of it? I’m sure we could get one for you.”

“Well, I thought you looked rather ridiculous, actually,” Peter mumbled. He had hoped that Lernaean would not hear him, but his hopes were in vain.

“What!” Lern shouted, looking straight at Pete with a glare of anger. “This is the finest fabric in all of London! Why, I don’t doubt that the Prime Minister himself doesn’t have a coat like this – “

“When have you been to London? Did they take you there? Did pirates take you?!” Peter asked him. Lern looked stunned at realizing he had let the secret out. But this look was soon replaced by a smug smile. “Well, why shouldn’t they? I am Captain, after all.”

Pete nearly toppled over after hearing this. The room began to spin, and he couldn’t catch his breath.

“CAPTAIN?!”

“Yes,” Lern answered, with a devious smile. “I am Captain. And not Captain Lern. I am Captain James. It’s my original name. Rather catchy, don’t you think?”

Peter suddenly felt nauseous. And not because he was seasick. Lern had betrayed them all.

“How could you?!” he shouted at him. Peter couldn’t understand it. This was his best friend. His mentor, of sorts. This was the lost boy who had trained him from the first day he left St. Ives’s home for orphaned boys. They had always fought the pirates together… side by side. But this “friend�� of his now looked at Peter with a scowl.

“How could I? Is that really what’s swimming in your brain?” Lern… James started to circle around the room dramatically. “Well, let’s see what I did… I lived in caves and in rotted out trees for years, scrounged and hunted for food every day, existed like a ragamuffin and fought the ones who should have been my allies all along! How could I? It was easy! Easy to accept food, clothes, and a way back to my home!!”

That was the turning point. There was no thinking now. There was anger in its place. Pete lunged at the wall and grabbed a large sword hanging there.

“Why, Peter!” James said excitedly. “I’ve been waiting to see if you had any wits about you!” James produced a sword from his belt and began to engage Peter in a sword fight. They circled each other about the room. Pete’s thoughts turned to the scoundrels just a floor above them.

“Don’t worry about those blundering fools up there,” James said, as if reading his mind. “They have their orders.” Peter’s senses were tightened in his rage. He had never had this kind of fury or strength in his head. All he could think about was James and on how to fight him. The time when the stole a barrel of gunpowder from the pirates. Step left. When the created a peace treaty with the Indians living in NeverLand. Step left again. Telling stories long past their bedtime-if they even had one, anyway. Keep your eyes on him, don’t look away. His head throbbed with thoughts, his heart burst with emotions. They circled around each other like vultures, until James broke the silence.

“I bet you’re wondering… ‘Did that traitor have us captured?’ Well, the answer is yes.” His smile was sickening. Peter didn’t even care what he had to say. At least that was what he kept telling himself. James continued. “- But those ruffians had it all wrong. I just wanted a conversation, just wanted you to understand why I came to them. I wanted you to join me.” He had to stop this constant conversation, this displeasing dribble from that thin, weasley mouth. Peter made his move. He jumped, swinging his sword with vigor. James dodged it and clashed his sword with Pete’s.

“Very nice!” he taunted. “You should teach the men upstairs – “

“Shut up!!” Peter shouted. He tried again. James slashed his weapon and attempted to knock him aside, but Peter swung again as fast as he could and clashed swords with James. The force propelled them both to opposite sides of the room. James was undeniably surprised, but Peter kept his mind and eyes focused on his opponent.

“Well,” James calmly stated, “I didn’t expect you to have a backbone. Very well. I shan’t let it happen again.”

James let out an angry cry and rushed at him. Peter, now at James’s desk, jumped over it, and did an incredible acrobatic feat over James’s head, landing behind him. James twisted around to face Peter and the two of them had at it. STAB! Dodge to the right. SLICE! Parry off the left. WHOOSH! Rush to the other side of the room. JAB! Create a new move on the spot. Element of surprise was key, yet both were so competitive, so unrelenting, and so fiercely talented, that one could barely even touch the other. This might have gone on for hours, if a knock hadn’t come at the door. By now the boys were near breathless and soaked with sweat.

“Hold on,” James gasped, “while I tell the man at the door to shoo.”

“Have at it, Jim,” Peter sneered, falling over himself and into a small couch in the corner. He glanced about the room, which was now an awful mess. The wallpaper was shredded, and everything was strewn and rearranged. The desk was moved to the side of the wall, and the wardrobe was knocked over onto the side of the desk. James walked over to the door, where the person on the other side was banging ferociously upon it. James was about to open the door, when it suddenly flew open, sent him flying towards the end of the room, where he landed stunned in Peter’s lap.

            It was the crocodile.

It was bigger than any Pete had ever seen. It had to have been at least 25 feet long, 4 feet tall, and so heavy that the boat seemed to rock whichever way the beast moved.

Smee wasn’t joking about it being big, he thought to himself. Without warning, James made a sudden break for the door. But the monster of a reptile saw him. He was as smart as he was enormous and swung his tail around like a whip. The door slammed shut, and the two boys were trapped. James readied himself with his sword. Peter’s adrenaline kicked in once again, and he got his weapon ready.

James made the first move. He swung at the creature with such precision and order, that if he had been dealing with any mere mortal, they would have been in serious need of medical attention. But this creature was no mere mortal, and ripped its massive arm through the air, and met James’ sword. Peter came into the fight at this point and hacked away at whatever was closest. He dodged the croc’s tail and arm and gashed at some portion of the monster. It didn’t relent, nor did it seem to notice any of the pain or injuries, as they were small. James was an excellent swordsman, as was Peter, but it was to no avail. James swung once more, but it meant nothing.

The scaly demon waved his paw at him and James was knocked into the desk. What’s more, the oil lamp fell over, and spilled across the floor, creating a pool of fire which began to grow. All the meaningless treasures were starting to catch fire, and James was in the middle of it, his sword out of reach. The beast gave a powerful swipe at him again, causing the desk to come crashing down on him. Peter watched with fear, a fear no man could have denied. But, as he witnessed James’s demise, he became filled with an emotion he didn’t realize was inside him. It was an anger, not at James, but at the crocodile, for having the audacity to attack his friend, even though this “friend” was a traitor. He jumped up onto the crocodile’s back, and ran across it frantically, carefully dodging all the obstacles the behemoth tried to give him. Pete jumped over the croc’s mouth, which was wide open, and waiting for an innocent child to fall in. He skillfully avoided the teeth and trapped his sword sideways in the devil’s mouth. Peter landed in a roll, but caught himself, and kept running. The terrible terror tried to give chase, but felt the sharp weapon trapped in its mouth, forcing it to keep open, and was distracted. Peter rushed to James’s side, checking to see if there were any major injuries.

“Hold on, Lern!” he cried. He quietly mumbled something to Peter that he couldn’t hear. “What? What did you- never mind, just keep still.”

He did as he was told, as Peter lifted the heavy wardrobe off his friend’s back. “It’s James, not Lern.” He shouted, once he was free.

“Oh. Sorry. But come on up, we’ve got to get out of here. I’ve distracted the leviathan, we can go!”

The two boys turned towards the door, just in time to see the jaws of the villain close shut, twisting the steel sword in half. Peter swallowed the screams trapped in his voice, and James attempted to keep whatever fluids were still left, inside of him.

“Now what, genius?” James whispered. Peter’s mind raced as he tried to come up with an idea. The reptile from hell turned its enormous head to look at them. He looked hungry, and they no doubt looked like appetizers. The dragon fiend took one step forward. That was all Pete gave him. He grabbed the first thing he saw within his reach – a large jewel – and chucked it at him. It hit the gruesome creature between the eyes and left a considerable mark there. Pete was inspired! He began throwing everything at him- an hourglass, an inkwell, a box of chocolates he found under the desk, shoes, hats, a fork, a broken frame, a radio. James caught on and began throwing things too. The creature was too big in a room that was too small, and getting smaller by the minute, what with the flames and all; he couldn’t find a place to sidestep the items being flung at him. James threw a vase at the monstrosity, which once again brought forth its tail, and sent the vase zooming into the wall, where it met a crashing end.

James was terrified, and frantically looked for a weapon to protect himself. He saw his sword, right where he left it, surrounded by flames. The handle was burning. He grabbed at it, just as the abomination curved his tail around once again to dodge a random object being tossed at him. The tail slammed against the wardrobe, which fell over and onto James’ hand. He screamed in pain, and hysterically began to free himself from the burning mass crushing his right hand.

Meanwhile, Peter was running out of objects to deliver, when he heard the cries of his battle-mate.

“Peter! Help!”

Pete rushed to the wounded boy captain.

“Why is everything falling on you?!”

But there was no time. Peter desperately lifted the desk off of James’s hand, to reveal a cut up, bloody, bruised, and considerably singed hand. James, try as he might, could not hold in his tears of pain and anguish. It was completely crushed, with small shards of glass here and there. He looked Peter in the eyes, with a burning anger. He gritted his teeth, and growled, “Cut… it… off.”

Peter was taken aback by this. “What?”

“Cut off this bloody stump of a hand! It’s no use to me now, and it will get infected. Cut it off!”

Peter was so stunned, and so much chaos was happening around him, he mind could not handle arguing with him. He looked about for a weapon, any weapon! He noticed a dagger, which had been jabbed into the floor. He pulled it out and inspected it. It was a magnificent weapon, with sparkling steel, and a leather handle. He held it against the flames to heat it up, then prepared himself.

“Are you ready?”

James took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Yes. Do it,” he answered.

Peter raised the dagger high, then brought it down swiftly. It was a clean slice, no hesitation. Peter felt as though he would not be able to hold in his lunch, and silently prayed that the contents of his stomach would remain where they were. James could not contain his anguish, however, and purged into the corner. But they had forgotten their companion.

            The crocodile looked at them with starving eyes and drooled across the floor. Ashes, smoke, and the orange glow from the many flames gave the room a dangerous feeling, which made the boys’ fear grow. James, terrified out of his wits, did the only thing he could think of. He tossed the disembodied limb at the brute, hoping to startle or distract it. The savage animal opened wide it’s abominable jaws and swallowed the severed hand whole. Peter didn’t know whether or not crocodiles could smile or laugh, but he was willing to bet this one could. Peter was not going to waste another moment feeling frightened; he got off his knees and plowed toward the colossus, dagger in hand. The dagger felt right wrapped in his fingers, better than the swords he’d been dealing with. It was a match made in Heaven. But the dagger belonged somewhere else- in between the eyes of the behemoth. He ducked under the slash of its tail, dodged the swipes of its claws, and strategically avoided the view of the crocodile. He had to draw it’s attention away from James and to the other side of the room.

“James!” he called out, “Get to the door!”

James nodded his head and slowly started crawling towards the door, careful to avoid the hind legs of the crocodile. Peter continued his diversion. He couldn’t let his friend die. James got closer to the door, while the croc got farther away from it. All the while Peter was slowly being backed up into a corner of flames. Finally, the inevitable happened. The monster gave a fearsome brandish at Peter, knocked him over and into the very edge of the room, with nowhere to turn. In the confusion, Pete had lost his dagger. He scanned the room, looking for it. He suddenly saw it- lying under the belly of the beast. The animal snarled at him and began to open his mouth. Peter looked into the dark abyss, and truly believed that this was the making of his demise. He was going to die. But before the foe could swallow him up, a shrill whistle sounded off. Both Peter and the crocodile turned their heads to see what had made the noise- it was James! Standing in the open door, with a strange instrument that resembled a harmonica in his hands.

“Come and get me, you sorry excuse for a reptile!”

And with those words, James threw a rather large cuckoo clock at the fiend, who snapped his jaws at him, and swallowed the clock, then promptly began choking on it.

“Peter! Hurry now or be baked alive!”

Peter inhaled deeply and began crawling under the crocodile’s stomach. He grabbed the dagger, crawled out the rest of the way, then took to his heels, just as the monster finished his unbearable meal. James slammed the door shut, then locked it.

“Hurry!” He yelled. “Up on deck!”

            The boys ran down the hall, then up the stairs. Peter was the first up, and was taken ahold of by the brutes up on deck as well. He had forgotten that the pirates were still an enemy, after the ordeal downstairs.

“Stop! Let him go!” James shouted.

“Cap’n Jim!” Smee called out. “You’re injured!” His gaze fell upon Peter, and the seemingly harmless old man suddenly had a darker interior. “Did that wretched boy-“ “No,” James interrupted. “He actually saved my life downstairs. But we must evacuate immediately. The ship is soon to be lost. No saving it, just get to the longboats. NOW!” The pirates all began scuttling and rushing about.

“Smee,” James continued, “help this young chap to free those boys, then get them all to the longboats.”

“Aye, sir,” Smee said, then turned to Peter. “Well, best get a move on, Peter!”

            Peter and James sat on the beach together, watching the sunset behind the fiery inferno of a pirate ship. In the distance, a large crocodile tail swept away in the water.

The pirates had started a campfire several feet away. Peter’s band of boys had run off into the nearby jungles.

“How’s your arm?” Peter asked. James looked down at his right arm, which was in a sling, and wrist was bandaged and had a hook attached.

“It’s fine for now. Some of the mates have started calling me ‘Captain Hook’.”

Peter couldn’t help but snicker at that. James chuckled a bit too. “It better stop soon, though. I don’t think that I could stand being called that for long. But at least it’s better than Lernaean.”

Peter smiled for a bit, but the smile soon faded away. James wanted to stay with the pirates. He quickly changed the subject. “Where did you get that whistle? The one you used to distract the croc.”

James smiled and pulled out the contraption on a cord. “It’s called a ‘pan’. It’s a musical instrument, although I can’t seem to play it correctly. Worked fine for a diversion, though.” Peter looked at the ‘pan’. It was delightfully mischievous, he thought. It had a considerable wonder to it. James noticed that he seemed to enjoy it. “Like it, eh? Well, then, here have a blast.” He tossed the pan over to Pete.

“Really? It’s mine?”

“Sure. I can’t play it, and you already like more than me. And you can keep that old knife, too.”

“It’s a dagger.”

“Whatever it is, it can be yours.”

Peter looked at the two treasures in his hands. A good, sharp dagger, a mysterious musical device. It was almost too good to be true for a curious boy like him. “Why are you giving me these things?”

James’s smile evaporated, and he looked away to the men ‘round the fire. They were swapping stories, jokes, and whatever beverages they had salvaged from the shipwreck. “I want to stay, and I want you to let me stay.”

Peter looked at him, not knowing what to say.

“You really want to stay? Why?”

James smiled, watching the grown men laugh and roughhouse around.

“This is my setting. This is where I find my calling. This, with those men you consider brutes and villains and drunkards and scalawags, is where I truly feel at home. I feel my place with them, and out on the open waters, the sea breeze in my face, and…” He paused. He looked at Peter, who he found smiling at him. He couldn’t help but smile, too. “It was never right with you and the others, chap. I never felt… truly at home, more like a lad living with those who are familiar to him but aren’t his family. But don’t think that I never enjoyed being with you. Because… when I had no one, I had you and Nyx and Typhon and Ares and – well, you get it, don’t you?”

“Of course,” Peter answered. He could barely speak, there was such a lump in his throat. He was no longer sorry for Lernaean. He felt proud of James, because James had found the thing his heart had longed for. James smiled brightly at him.

“You should go,” Pete whispered. James nodded and shook Peter’s hand.

“Goodbye for now, mate.”

Suddenly, James began to change. He aged, grew taller, grew a goatee and mustache to match! His clothes changed as well, changed to fit his new appearance. He was now a full-grown man, with long hair and a long face. His eyes were older, and now had a sense of purpose. His wounds had healed, and on his right wrist, was a shining gold hook. His red royal jacket was new, and his boots with buckles finely polished. He now had a bright red tricorne hat, with a large purple feather. And his belt had a new, long cutlass with a golden handle. He looked himself over, smiling slyly at his new style. Peter’s mouth was agape, he couldn’t believe it. James had grown up.

“Well,” James said, his voice now low, and more matured, “I’d best be off. But just one more question: do you still distress over your name?”

“Not so much anymore. Why do you ask?”

James shrugged. “I had an idea for a name for you. Inspired by that musical thing. Pan. ‘Lord of the wild’. Rather catchy for you, eh?”

Peter mulled it over for a minute, then answered. “I believe I will make something of my own name, thank you.”

James nodded, then walked away.

“But it is catchy, I’ll admit,” he whispered to himself, hoping not to be heard. He must have been, however, because James began to laugh hysterically as he sauntered towards his comrades.

“Better get on with it, little Peter Pan! Find your lost boys in the wood!”

Peter took his possessions and ran into the forest, thinking it over. Peter Pan… rather good, he thought. Lost Boys… a good name for his troupe. Off in the distance, he heard a rooster crow. He mimicked it perfectly, crowing into the jungle, as a proper ‘Lord of the wood’ should.

For he was Peter Pan, and adventures awaited him in Neverland, where Lost Boys never grew up.

[classicslesbianopinions]

You ever hear about something that happened to Mithridates VI, King of Pontus? He ordered a traitorous commander killed, and forbade anyone from burying the body. Then soldiers brought a young woman before him; she was the commander's lover and had attempted to bury the body in secret. And Mithridates realized, "this is literally the plot of Antigone." So he made a very public show of pardoning the girl to distance himself from the literary tyrant.

(Source: Adrienne Mayor, The Poison King, p. 215)

if that's true it's the funniest thing on the planet

[concupiscience]

diasenna-a soft, purgative electuary containing the plant senna. The other ingredients are sugar candy, cinnamon, lapis lazuli, silk, cloves, galanga minor, black pepper, nardus indicus, seed of the basilica, leaves of cloves, cardamomum, saffron, ginger, zedoary, rosemary flowers, long pepper, lapis armenius, and honey

Mithridate, also known as mithridatium, mithridatum, or mithridaticum, is a semi-mythical remedy with as many as 65 ingredients, used as an antidote for poisoning, and said to have been created by Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus in the 1st century BC.

Aulus Cornelius Celsus details one version of the antidote in De Medicina (ca. AD 30). A recent translation is as follows: "But the most famous antidote is that of Mithridates, which that king is said to have taken daily and by it to have rendered his body safe against danger from poison". It contained:

costmary, 1–66 grams

sweet flag, 20 grams

hypericum, 8 grams

Natural gum, 8 grams

sagapenum,[13] 8 grams

acacia juice, 8 grams

Illyrian iris (probably I. germanica),[14] 8 grams

cardamom, 8 grams

anise, 12 grams

Gallic nard (Valeriana italica),[15] 16 grams

gentian root, 16 grams

dried rose leaves, 16 grams

poppy-tears (Papaver rhoeas, a wild poppy with low opiate content),[16] 17 grams

parsley, 17 grams

cassia, 20–66 grams

saxifrage, 20–66 grams

darnel, 20–66 grams

long pepper, 20–66 grams

storax, 21 grams

castoreum, 24 grams

frankincense, 24 grams

hypocistis juice,[17] 24 grams

myrrh, 24 grams

opopanax, 24 grams

malabathrum leaves, 24 grams

flower of round rush, 24–66 grams

turpentine-resin, 24–66 grams

galbanum, 24–66 grams

Cretan carrot seeds, 24–66 grams

nard, 25 grams

opobalsam, 25 grams

shepherd's purse, 25 grams

rhubarb root, 28 grams

saffron, 29 grams

ginger, 29 grams

cinnamon, 29 grams

The ingredients are then "pounded and taken up in honey. Against poisoning, a piece the size of an almond is given in wine.

[xionisgr]

ISBN: 978-960-04-2406-5 Συγγραφέας: Maro Douka Εκδότης: Κέδρος Σελίδες: 383 Ημερομηνία Έκδοσης: 2003-01-01 Διαστάσεις: 19x12 Εξώφυλλο: Μαλακό εξώφυλλο

[a078740849aposts]

ISBN: 978-960-04-2406-5 Συγγραφέας: Maro Douka Εκδότης: Κέδρος Σελίδες: 383 Ημερομηνία Έκδοσης: 2003-01-01 Διαστάσεις: 19x12 Εξώφυλλο: Μαλακό εξώφυλλο

[the-writing-goblin]

Or they start microdosing poison so it never happens again. Like, who are you, King Mithridates the fourth of Pontus?

Hate it when someone I know gets poisoned and suddenly it's their whole personality

[autodidactprofessor]

Mithridates VI: The Poison King's Defiance Against Rome

The Early Life of Mithridates VI: A King in the Making Mithridates VI, also known as Mithridates the Great, was born around 135 BCE in the Kingdom of Pontus. His father, Mithridates V, ruled this Hellenistic state on the southern coast of the Black Sea, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The royal family of Pontus was powerful, maintaining alliances with the Roman Republic and neighboring…

[xasha777]

In the distant future, humanity has spread across the stars, establishing colonies on distant planets and forging new alliances with alien civilizations. On the edge of the galaxy, a planet named Pontus became a thriving hub of culture and technology, blending human ingenuity with extraterrestrial wisdom. Among its inhabitants was a young woman named Elara, whose unique appearance and mysterious past set her apart from everyone else.

Elara's skin had a radiant blue hue, and her hair shimmered with shades of orange and pink, resembling the vibrant colors of a cosmic nebula. Her eyes, deep and captivating, held secrets of a forgotten era. She was not just any ordinary human; she was a descendant of an ancient lineage that had once ruled over a powerful empire on Earth. This lineage traced back to Mithridates VI Eupator, the great King of Pontus, who had fought valiantly against the Roman Republic.

Mithridates VI Eupator was a legendary figure known for his resilience, intelligence, and mastery of poisons. He had dreamt of a world free from Roman domination and had waged a relentless war to achieve it. His legacy, however, was not just of rebellion but of wisdom and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He had discovered ancient technologies and secrets that had been lost to time. Before his fall, he managed to send his knowledge and some of his bloodline into the stars, ensuring that his lineage would survive and one day rise again.

Elara had always felt a connection to her ancestor, sensing his presence in her dreams and visions. One night, she received a vivid dream where Mithridates appeared before her, his eyes burning with intensity. He spoke of a hidden artifact on the planet Pontus that held the key to immense power and wisdom. This artifact, known as the Mithridian Core, was said to be a relic from a bygone era, containing the collective knowledge of the ancient kings and the power to alter the fabric of reality.

Driven by a newfound purpose, Elara embarked on a quest to find the Mithridian Core. Alongside her was a small team of loyal companions: Kael, a skilled pilot with a mysterious past; Lyra, a brilliant scientist with a knack for deciphering ancient languages; and Zephyr, an alien warrior whose strength and agility were unmatched. Together, they navigated through the treacherous landscapes of Pontus, facing numerous challenges and adversaries.

As they delved deeper into the planet's secrets, they discovered that they were not the only ones seeking the Mithridian Core. A powerful faction known as the Neo-Romans, descendants of the ancient Roman Republic, had also learned of the artifact's existence. They believed that possessing the Mithridian Core would grant them dominion over the galaxy, fulfilling their ancestors' ambition of universal conquest.

The final confrontation took place in the heart of an ancient, forgotten city, buried deep within Pontus' wilderness. Elara and her team stood face to face with the Neo-Romans, their leader a ruthless warlord named Valerius. A fierce battle ensued, with both sides unleashing their might. Elara's unique abilities, inherited from her ancestor, began to manifest as she fought valiantly, her skin glowing brighter and her movements more agile.

In the midst of the chaos, Elara reached the Mithridian Core, its presence resonating with her very being. She activated the artifact, unleashing a surge of energy that enveloped her. The knowledge and power of her ancestors flowed into her, and she became a beacon of light, transcending her mortal limitations.

With newfound strength, Elara defeated Valerius and his forces, shattering their dreams of conquest. The Mithridian Core's energy spread across the planet, revitalizing its landscapes and infusing its inhabitants with a sense of unity and purpose. Elara's transformation marked the dawn of a new era, where the wisdom of the past guided the future, and the legacy of Mithridates VI Eupator lived on through her.

As Elara stood amidst the ruins of the ancient city, she gazed at the stars, knowing that her journey was far from over. She had become a symbol of hope and resilience, a guardian of the galaxy's ancient secrets, and a living testament to the enduring spirit of her ancestors. The story of Mithridates VI Eupator and his descendant, Elara, would be told for generations to come, inspiring countless others to seek the truth and embrace their destiny among the stars.

[useleshistory]

Useless Fact #50

Mithridates VI of Pontus was so afraid of being poisoned by his enemies that he took small doses of poison throughout his life to built up an immunity. When he was captured by the Romans he attempted to commit suicide by poisoning himself, to no avail. 

[confused-n-sinning]

Well, actually, there was this one king ages ago (Mithridates VI, the King of Pontus) who was so scared of being poisoned that he kept trying different posoins in smaaaall doses, so that if someone did try to poison him he'd know. This king did this so much that, once time when someone actually attempted to poison him, it didn't work. Bro made himself immune.

So perhaps anything is edible if you try hard enough.

Is the moon edible, in your opinion?

Anything is edible if you try hard enough - except maybe poison

[ancientcraftnoccultism]

🌿 Herb Of The Day

Title: Aconite

Gender: Feminine

Element: Water

Planet: Saturn

Please note that I am provided this information on the understanding that nobody would be bloody daft enough to use it. It is of purely historical interest.

"But I think I’m a pretty sensible, safe person. Can I use aconite?"

No.

Seriously, just don’t. IF you are working in close consultation with a trained herbalist or doctor, and IF you are extremely experienced yourself, then you MIGHT be able to try making a flying ointment. However, I strongly recommend against using any form of aconite in order to do so, because its lethal dose is so, so low and there are many safer plants and fungi that could be used as ingredients by a skilled herbalist.

📜 Folklore & History 📜

Not by chance it is called a ‘queen of poisons’ and ‘plant arsenic’ – in reference to arsenic, the ‘king of poisons’. A distinction sometimes found, concerns the names monkshood and wolfsbane. Some consider the white or yellow-flowered species Aconitum lycoctonum the true wolfsbane, whereas the blue flowering Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) is probably the better known of the two species. The latter is found in medieval monastery gardens. The two species contain different poisons, however similar – and both lethal – in effect.

The Greek word akónitos is composed of ak = pointed and kônos = cone, an akon being a dart or javelin, which is perhaps a reference to the plant’s use as arrow poison. Theophrastus suggests, the name is derived from the town of Aconæ (thought to be located near Karadeniz Ereğli in Turkey). It may also have been named after mount Akonitos in Pontus.

According to legend, it was near this mountain in Pontus, where the plant grew from the spittle of Cerberus, the three-headed hound of Hades, when folk hero Heracles drew up the beast from its infernal abode. Homer (800 bc) gives the first account of this myth in the Illiad. Eight centuries later Ovid embellishes the story in Metamorphoses VII, where Scythian sorceress Medea attempts to poison Theseus with aconite. Aconite features also in Metamorphoses VI: Athena sprinkles Arachne with aconite, upon which she is transformed into a spider (VI, 129ff.).

Besides, the legend surrounding Cerberus dates back to the time of Hesiod (800-700 bc), who describes the creature as a fifty-headed do and being the offspring of Typhon and Echidna. Typhon is refered to as birther of storm winds and father of all monsters and was viewed as the largest and most deadly of all creatures, whereas Echidna was envisioned as a monstrous viper and mother of all monsters. Their ‘poisonous’ blood flows in the veins of Cerberus and inside the vessels of the plant that rose from his saliva.

Aconite is also named hecateis, after the goddess Hecate. Hecate is an ancient Greek goddess of witchcraft, associated with crossroads, gateways, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, the souls of the dead/ necromancy and shape-shifting. In this latter aspect she is called upon as Lycania. Aconite is also thought to have been used by Thessalonian witches in hallucinogenic flying ointments.

The Berserkers, an infamous Germanic tribe, reportedly consumed Aconite in order to transform into ‘werewolves’. Aconite is said to cause a sensation on the skin of wearing a fur-coat or feathers and may induce hallucinations of transforming into different kinds of animals. Indo-European culture holds the name Luppewurz, from old German luppi = deathly juice/poison/spell, and similar to Latin lupus = wolf. The Greek byname lycoctonum means wolf-killer, possibly referring to the plant’s use in poisoned wolf baits. Hence the plant is also known as Wolfsbane in modern English language.

The most poisonous herb of Europe, aconite has a long history in poison murder. Pliny reports of Calpurnius Bestia, who killed his wives in sleep by touching their genitalia with his finger, which were smeared with aconite root extracts. According to Pliny aconite was hence also known as thelyphonon = ‘female-bane’ or ‘woman killer’. (Aconite brought in contact with the mucuouse menbranes of female genitalia would indeed cause instant death!) Pliny suggest yet another name for aconite, scorpio, was based on the curved shape of the root, which was thought to resemble a scorpion’s tail. Another example for poisoning with aconite features the, perhaps, most famous suicide of all times: Cleopatra, pressed for time, may have killed herself with the help of a poisonous cocktail containing aconite, poison hemlock and opium poppy rather than the bite of a cobra.

Aconite was sacred to Thor, the Norse god of thunderstorms and lightning. In German this connection is reflected in various folk names given to the plant, such as Sturmhut and Thor’s hat. Other popular German names are Eisenhut = helmet, and Mönchshut = monk’s hood. But there is also an erotic side the aconite, as is suggested by names such as Venuskutschen and Venuswagen = ‘wagon of Venus’. Here we have a contrast to the male and martial names and attributes, suggesting female and aphrodisiac qualities. However, the names are often simply based on various interpretations of the shape of the flowers. Related to the plant’s poisonous effects are names such as Würgling, indicating death through asphyxiation, and Ziegentod, referring to the deaths of goats that accidentally ate the plant.

Aconite has been used as an arrow poison in hunting and warfare. Arrow heads were dressed with aconite as well as the shafts, so that an enemy, who drew the arrow from the body of a wounded comrade, would be poisoned too. In India, aconite was mixed with other poisons and applied to arrowheads, so that the targets would rave mad and poison more people by biting them. Aconite’s use as an early biological war weapon extends also to poisoning the enemy’s water and food resources, e.g. the Romans used it as such. Roman Emperor Claudius died of aconite poisoning in year 54.

🔮 Metaphysical Properties

It is used in spells related to protection and invisibility. An infusion of aconite can be sprinkled on ritual items during rituals to charge them with protective energy and the roots and leaves can be burned in a ritual fire for the same purpose. Use caution not to ingest or inhale the fumes!

🍴⚕️ Medicinal & Culinary

Various species of Aconitum have been used for centuries both as poisons and medicines. The root is the most toxic plant part, although all parts are considered to be toxic. Extracts of Aconitum species have been given orally in traditional medicine to reduce fever associated with colds, pneumonia, laryngitis, croup, and asthma; for pain, inflammation, and high blood pressure; as a diuretic; to cause sweating; to slow heart rate; and for sedation. In traditional Asian medicine, root extracts are typically mixed with licorice or ginger. Extracts also have been used as arrow poisons. Historically, aconite was most commonly used in Western cultures as a tincture. It was applied topically as a counterirritant liniment for neuralgia, rheumatism, and sciatica. In homeopathy, aconite is used to treat fear, anxiety, and restlessness; acute sudden fever; symptoms from exposure to dry, cold weather or very hot weather; tingling, coldness, and numbness; influenza or colds with congestion; and heavy, pulsating headaches.

⚠️ WARNINGS ⚠️

Do not use aconite. Aconite root is UNSAFE when taken by mouth. All species of the plant are dangerous, and so are processed products. Aconite contains a strong, fast-acting poison that causes severe side effects such as nausea, vomiting, weakness or inability to move, sweating, breathing problems, heart problems, and death. Some people use aconite in a cream or lotion that is applied to the skin. This practice is also dangerous. The poisons in aconite can be absorbed through the skin, causing severe side effects.

[katiajewelbox]

This fluffy headed wild flower is the Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum). This plant is native to most of Eurasia and it is a generous food source for pollinators in August. The plant has been used in traditional herbal medicine as an anti inflammatory. 

In addition, there’s a curious story about the origin of the Latin name... the genus name pays homage to the ancient king Mithridates VI of Pontus, otherwise known as Eupator Dionysius (132BC - 63BC). King Eupator Dionysius was a poison collector and expert in herbal medicine who was paranoid about being poisoned. To make himself immune to poisons, the king “micro-dosed” with a variety of different poisons daily. When his kingdom fell to the Romans, the king tried to take his own life with poison - which unfortunately didn’t work! The story says that the king asked his loyal guard to finish the deed. 

This story is an ironic example of “seemed like a good idea at the time”.

[theskyexists]

monstress other half

MARIUM?!?!?!!??!?!?!!!

OF COURSE!!!! i mean i thought they were eras apart but i guess it all makes sense - the foreshadowing of Rohar calling the Shaman-Priestess a witch. Being a scientific genius. Marium being a scientific genius.

Maika’s father is so cool. it cannot be denied

i was kind of miffed that even Kippa turned out to be uber special by birth. But yeah, i guess that’s fantasy

Zinn having been a completely useless amnesiac guilt-ridden hunger-ridden idiot for most of this comic is now getting on my nerves. get the FUCK over it and start pulling your goddamn weight

how the fuck did the thyrians come to an alliance with pontus? they were attacking the city a couple issues ago

ohhhhhhhhhhh of course. in the prison the old gods also have hierarchy, society.

they hunted bones??? tuya and maika’s timelines are fascinating

oh so zinn was wrong? he was her slave and weapon?

ohhhhhh arcanic anatomy/sexuality explained!

MARIUM was its lover???? but......then zinn and maika are enemies ?

jezus. this comic chews through endless amounts of people.

and now kippa is learning the terrible consequences of power and mistakes

she has caused so much death now

at least tuya got the airfleet distracted so ravenna might be saved. might be. not the children though.

ahhhh - she was the colonel’s student...

the colonel really releases her?????? they were friends??? jezus christ

so then the colonel poisons the whole place kills everybody. anyway goes to show what complete psychopaths soldiers really are

the jagaran (natives, tiger looking) were first to travel the worlds. the jagaran taught the cats (natives) world hopping, and they disappeared. farclaw travelled these other worlds, then a thousand years of her empire of peace. then the Ancients made of light came and were repelled. then jagaran looking ancients (tiger) and other-looking ancients came back and settled with the wave empress to form the wave court. then a new wave of immigrants formed the dawn and dusk courts. then a 1000 years of their dominion, amazing cities, and they still travelled the stars. the cats and the ancients and ubasti herself imprisoned the old ‘gods’ refugees when they started to kill everbody. then humans appeared, arcanics appeared and the ancients degenerated. there was genocide of arcanics, the shaman-priestess came into her own. there was war, and the wolf queen killed the bear king. the shaman-priestess probably world-hopped and got the material for the mask to draw one old god from its prison (zinn). now there is no life in any world but this one. ok so we’re now seeing from zinn’s memories that the ancients intended to kill his and probably the shaman-priestess’ kid.

the ancients BROUGHT mortals to this world? the humans maybe....

god the art for this comic. wolf queen is so...incredibly drawn

the thing about this is that it takes the fantasy trope of the powerful by blood, the blessed, the chosen, and says: look how dispensible all these others are. they literally eat them

like what a fucking idiot - wolf queen was like hehehe all them people dying in the streets how great. she didnt think she could be touched.

so the cats also had enemies who hated them and tried to kill them, and they were reborn. is this just a refugee planet?

the ancients and the old gods and the ducals look a LOT like each other don’t they? in their true forms. the scalefeathers, the eyes. the mask was the ANCIENTS’ birthright???

DAMN THAT’S THE COOLEST POWER RANGER I EVER SEEN!!!

i love Tuya/Maika  :’)

so romantic. but damn this comic artist can draw everything - except kisses

It IS a refugee world!!!

ah - there is something worse out there. something everybody fled from.

what the fuck lol? everbody thought she killed foxy but it turns out he never died. DOES NOONE WITH A NAME THAT SHE KILLS STAY DEAD??? ONLY THE PEASANTS EVER DIE

the ancients could have crushed the humans but just let arcanics suffer jezus

Tuya what the fuck. that was so fucking stupid. that last betrayal means her end.

AND WHY???? yep tuya’s dead. i should have known that romantic ass scene wouldn’t have lasted.

the old ones were light jelly fish. and then they were saved by the jagaran and adara farclaw....but imprisoned it seems

ahhhhh. she killed her mother. by accident. oh.....no. not the explosion. the hunger....

oh so the dusk court need not worry at all - they will never be found. theyll leave everyone to die

wtf they have full ancient parents?

ah tuya is quite fully controlled. that explains the why. THIS explains why. she’s held hostage.

Please reconcile with Tuya, Maika. Please.

So corvin was beat (uh so losing feathers from stress over not living up to parents’ expectations was not so silly, bettani) and Tuya was not loved at all - just a puppet. why the fuck didn’t she tell Maika. what a fucking idiot. she better not die

WHAT. now they’re saying the servitors are not built but a race

so they’re killing arcanics

ohhhhh....... ancients fled from the other ancients, - on the lost continent. and these ones were the aggressors

I THOUGHT MONSTRESS WAS DONE. now im gonna have to wait another ten years goddamnit.

[huseyinurai]

There's a black hole upon the Black Sea, Missing 3,000 years of our history, And cos of where I'm from they would attack me, But where I'm from now is a mystery. They called it the inhospitable sea, Until we settled upon its shores, So they renamed it the hospitable sea, As its waters were alone no more. And the sea fell in love with us, Together we created a history so old, From when Jason crossed her waters, In order to find a fleece of gold. From when Xenophon crossed our path, After fighting in a war of the Persian throne, And his defeated mercenaries passed through, Our land on their long journey home. From when our great King Mithridates, Created an Empire that stretched across Anatolia, And surrounded the entire Black Sea coast, From the Balkans to Thrace and to Crimea. And no one fought against Rome as long, A greater foe than Hannibal was the poison king, Became the hero of all Greeks and Persians, Until eventually Pompey defeated him. From when Strabo travelled as far as Ethiopia, And recounted tales of Kush and Khemet, From when Evagrius had eight evil thoughts, From when Diogenes became a cynic. What a glorious history now almost forgotten, Who remembers us now except the survivors? Kourtidis is forgot whilst Kemal's name lives on, Who celebrates our polikare freedom fighters? Now there's a black hole upon the Black Sea, Missing a whole nation's identity, The land is now full of ghosts and the people there Are not who they were meant to be. The Empire of Trebizon once stood proud, But where is it now? It has gone, How evil is genocide? It even steals the history, So now Amisos is Samsun and Trebizond Trabzon. Who now remember Alexios Komnenos? Whom after Byzantium had fallen all around it, Established and ruled the Trebizond Empire, And one of the greatest dynasties was founded. Where are those people now you ask? For they no longer exist in the land of their name, For a genocide not only erased life but history, And we are one of history's greatest shames. They destroyed every record of our existence, Our entire identity was stolen away from us, Even the latin names of nature had our name erased, So now I'm from Sudan or Greece, but not from Pontus. For being Greek we were attacked by the Turks, And more than half our population was murdered, Until most of our survivors fled to Russia, Or to Greece where we were oppressed for being Turkish. As a once mighty empire died it tried take us with it, Then we suffered its partition in the population exchange, Our wounds would stay open without any justice, As we endured pain for longer than the Pontic Mountain Range. So as the Kementche plays our sorrowful song, We are still not ready yet to accept defeat, Because the genocide wanted to erase our entire existence, So as long as our culture lives it isn't complete.