The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy

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The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy Page 57

by Adrienne Mayor


  poisons tested on, 220, 237–38

  probability, 41

  prodigies, 33. See also omens

  Prometheus, 62–64, 327, 338

  prophecies: and M, 27–36, 74, 95, 96–97, 136

  Martha’s, 134

  of Rome’s destruction, 33–36

  Sertorius’s white doe and, 259

  about Sulla, 196. See also dreams; omens; oracles

  prostitutes, sacred, 89–91, 295

  Prusias, 57

  psychology of M, 101, 173–74, 282, 301, 373–76. See also character of M

  Psylli, 111

  Ptolemaeus, 282, 288

  Ptolemy VIII, 38, 163

  Ptolemy (general), 38, 361

  Ptolemy of Egypt, 220

  Publius (general), 35

  Punic Wars, 109. See also Second Punic War; Third Punic War

  Purple Snake venom, 102

  Pylaemenes, 129

  Pyrrhus, 160

  Pythion, 154

  Pythodorus, 154

  Racine, Jean, 2

  Mithridate, 164, 219, 286, 361, 368, 370

  racism, 7, 300

  Raglan, Fitzroy, 40, 371

  Ramsey, John T., 28–30

  Rank, Otto, 39, 371

  realgar, 70, 240

  reconnaissance expedition, 120–22

  red coral, 246

  reign, M’s. See rule, M’s

  Reinach, Théodore, 28, 120, 221, 243, 249, 261, 268, 321, 331, 333–34, 351–52, 354, 356

  Mithridate Eupator, roi du Pont, 6–7

  religion: influences on M, 46

  Marius’s political use of, 132–34

  Persian, 46–47. See also Zoroastrianism

  Remus, 33, 33, 52, 108, 161

  reptiles, 91, 238–43, 325. See also salamanders; venom

  reputation of M, 2–4, 24, 26, 104, 107, 338, 359

  Rhodes, 18, 121–22, 153, 157, 163, 166, 171, 179–83, 181, 200, 221, 228, 262

  rhododendron, 70, 88

  rhubarb, 240

  riding, 43, 43–44, 50, 120, 126

  Rigsby, Kent, 58

  rings, finger, 190, 247–49

  robes. See cloaks

  Robin Hood, 40

  rock-cut tombs, 82, 83, 354

  Roki Pass, 332, 336

  Roman Republic: Anatolian uprising against, 59–61

  Asia as province of, 58–59, 139–42, 155, 158, 165, 228

  attitudes toward, 19–20, 47, 52, 107–9, 146, 155, 160, 167, 172, 344

  blood-thirstiness of, 34, 109–10, 202–3, 228–29, 275, 283

  civil wars in, 110–11, 132, 141, 165, 188, 210, 221, 223, 236

  comets’ meaning in, 29–32, 188, 268

  defeats in First Mithradatic War, 152–57

  economic collapse in, 9, 166, 173–74

  extent of, 25

  foreign policy and diplomacy of, 105, 109, 131, 146

  Greece and, 36, 109, 110, 175–79, 189–213, 222

  human sacrifice in, 186

  Italian rebellion in, 139, 157–58, 160, 165, 174, 188, 344

  and kings, 161

  looting by army of, 110, 112, 200–201, 224, 275, 279, 283, 288–92, 302, 314

  and massacre of 88 BC, 13–26

  military of, 113

  M’s knowledge of, 107–11

  M’s plans to invade, 327, 342–45

  M’s relations with, 1–3, 8–9, 11, 52, 105, 107, 131, 135–36, 142–46, 305–6

  navy of, 157

  origin of, 108

  and Phrygia, 82

  and piracy, 258, 314–16

  poison as weapon in, 239, 242

  Pontus as ally of, 51–52

  prophecies of destruction of, 33–36

  rebels within, 108

  republican rule in, 108–9

  rich vs. poor in, 108–11

  Senate in, 109, 165, 186, 224, 227, 229, 256, 294, 342, 352

  slave rebellions in, 110–11, 272, 278

  Spain and, 109, 110, 186, 236, 258–60, 265, 270

  symbol of, 33, 33, 35, 35, 52, 108

  values of, 109

  war declarations in, 145–46, 165, 193. See also Mithradatic Wars

  Romulus, 33, 33, 52, 108, 161, 166

  Rostovtzeff, Mikhail, 3, 46

  Roxana (sister of M), 45, 98–100, 253, 277, 286, 287

  Roxolani, 118, 327

  rue, 240, 245, 340

  rule: of Cyrus the Great, 49

  Persian, 49. See also rule, M’s

  rule, M’s: administration in, 153–54

  assumption of, 96–99

  characteristics of, 119, 296

  crowning, 29, 69, 392n39

  establishment of, 79

  priorities in, 105–7

  reforms in, 158

  Rumsfeld, Donald, 405n1

  Rutilius Rufus, P., 5, 14, 142, 171, 259

  sacrifice, 185–86, 262

  Saddam Hussein, 8

  saffron, 240

  Sahin, Sencer, 4

  Saint-John’s-wort, 240, 242, 340

  salamanders, 91–92, 242

  Sallust, 4, 60, 258, 305, 400n24

  sambuca, 180, 182–83, 271

  Samnites, 160

  Samos, 157, 221

  Samosata, Commagene, 302–3

  Samothrace, 276

  sandyx, 296

  Sardis, 220

  Sarmatia and the Sarmatians, 94, 117, 152, 261, 326, 364

  satraps/satrapies, 37, 154

  Saturnalia, 328

  savior-king: M as, 2, 26, 36, 40, 52, 64, 69, 97, 136–37, 162, 387n15

  prophecy of, 27, 34, 36, 57

  Scarlatti, Domenico, Mitridate, 364

  scars. See lightning; wounds

  scenario building, 6, 360

  science: achievements in, 2, 252–53, 290–92, 310

  Attalus III and, 57–58

  M’s studies in, 47–48

  poison research, plate 1, 1–2, 48, 58, 69–72, 88–89, 101–3, 201, 220, 237–47, 295–96

  scimitars, 32, 104

  Scipio Africanus, 109

  Scordisci horsemen, 308

  scythed chariots. See war chariots

  Scythia, 70, 162, 261, 278, 295, 326, 333, 344, 364

  Scythian Keyhole (Gates), 333–35, 338–39, 342

  Scythian nomads, 50–51, 84, 87, 106, 115, 117, 280–81, 308

  Second Punic War, 34

  secret communication methods, 206. See also intelligence activities

  Selene, 84, 328

  Seleucus II, 161

  Seleucus Nicator, 37, 162

  Seleucus of Cilicia (pirate), 121, 276–77, 290, 325

  Senate, Roman, 109, 165, 186, 224, 227, 229, 256, 294, 342, 352

  Serapis, 122

  Sertorius, Quintus, 111, 236, 246, 258–61, 264, 265, 270

  sex and sexuality, 89–91, 114, 295

  Shahansha. See King of Kings

  shamans, 101. See also Agari healers/shamans; Magi; Psylli

  Sheldon, Rose Mary, 174, 175

  siblings, 45, 100–101

  Sibylline Books, 35, 186, 268

  Sicily, 111

  siege engines, 2, 179–80, 182, 197–99, 201, 271, 274, 290

  sieges: of Amisus, 290

  of Athens, 201–5, 203, 204

  of Cyzicus, 270–74

  of Piraeus, 197–99

  poison as tactic in, 61

  protective strategies for, 92

  of Rhodes, 179–83

  of Themiscrya, 279

  of Tigranocerta, 297–98

  Silk Route, 115, 137, 249, 335

  Silo, 157–58

  Singh, K. Gajendra, 9

  Sinope, Pontus: archaeology of, 8

  as birthplace of M, 27

  defense and abandonment of, 290

  M’s burial in, 354

  M’s exile from, 72, 75–95, 392n4

  satrapy in, 37

  Strabo on, 45

  treasure in, 277

  Sinopic red earth, 70–71

  Sinora, 2
77, 316, 323–24, 330

  Sisenna, Lucius Cornelius, 5, 142

  Skiathos, 190, 192

  slaves and slavery: freeing of, 175, 217

  in massacre of 88 BC, 13

  mining performed by, 70

  moral shortcomings of, 47

  in M’s military, 207

  national characteristics of, 172–73

  origins of, 20

  pirates and, 20, 52, 116

  Roman, 20–21, 128

  Roman rebellion of, 110–11, 272, 278

  tattoos on, 20–21

  trade in, 20, 52, 116, 217–18

  Smyrna, 157, 171, 172, 220

  snakes. See reptiles; venom

  “Snowball Effect,” of oral tradition, 41

  Soanes, 86, 325

  Socrates, 230, 418n4

  Socrates the Good, 139–40, 143, 159, 161, 226

  Sophene, 298

  Sophocles, 185

  Antigone, 215

  Sophonsiba, 410n37

  Sosipater, 126

  Spain, 109, 110, 186, 236, 258–60, 265, 270

  Sparta, 185, 191, 236

  Spartacus, 40, 229, 236, 272, 278, 344

  speeches: historical accuracy of, 400n24

  before Mithradatic Wars, 142–46, 263–65

  to Parthians, 305–6

  on victories, 159–62

  spies. See intelligence activities

  Statira (sister of M), 45, 98–100, 253, 277, 286, 287

  storms. See weather

  Stothers, Richard, 267–68

  Strabo: on Amasia, 79–80

  anthropological observations by, 84, 86, 328, 335

  on Bacchides, 284

  on Caucasus trek, 331, 333–36

  geographical observations by, 85

  Geography, 4

  and Hypsicrates, 366

  on Kainon Chorion, 253

  on mining, 70

  and Mithradatic Wars, 4–5, 45, 178, 289–90

  M’s links to, 45

  on Persian thought, 46

  on Rome, 108

  on Sinope, 45

  on temples of love, 295

  on water-powered mill, 253

  Stratonice, 114, 251, 251–53, 277, 284, 316, 330, 339, 343, 417n51

  Stratonicea, 157, 163, 228

  Strauss, Barry, 229

  suicide: attitudes toward/rationales for, 354, 410n37, 418n10

  to avoid capture, 247, 410n37

  Hannibal’s, 57

  M’s, 348, 349

  of M’s family/harem, 287, 330, 339, 348, 349

  poisons suitable for, 418n4

  of the vanquished, 203

  Sulla, Lucius Cornelius, 195, 257

  appearance of, 196

  Cappadocian conquest of, 136

  character of, 195–96

  death of, 256, 257

  dispatched to avenge massacre, 14, 21, 24, 172

  Fimbria’s rivalry with, 223–25

  generalship granted to, 165

  Greek campaign of, 196–213, 221

  as information source for M, 4

  Marius’s rivalry with, 111, 112, 132, 165–66, 188, 210

  and Peace of Dardanus, 221–23, 225–27

  poison legislation by, 242–43

  prophecies concerning, 196

  Roman bloodshed caused by, 229

  rule of Rome by, 188, 196, 229, 236

  and Second Mithradatic War, 231–33

  tactical skills of, 212

  Triumph of, 229

  victory monuments erected by, 208–10, 209, 212–13

  wealth seized by, 200–201, 204, 228, 229, 249

  Summerer, Lâtife, 7

  Sun, 46, 262, 305, 320, 328, 362. See also Helios

  Sun Citizens. See Citizens of the Sun

  Sushruta, 241

  swords, 32, 70. See also dagger, M’s; scimitars

  sycophants, 126

  Syria, 138, 172, 221, 255, 297, 298, 330, 331, 340

  Tabae, 157

  Tacitus, Cornelius, 4

  Talaura, 289, 330

  tannin, 240

  tasters, 72, 246

  tattoos, 20–21, 206

  Taurians, 261

  taxes: M and, 115, 119, 210, 343, 345

  Rome and, 20, 47, 128, 167–68, 171, 255, 292

  Taxiles, 191, 205, 208, 261, 270, 289, 298, 304

  Telephus, 63, 64

  Telmessus, 157, 166

  Temple, Jerusalem, 163

  Temple of Apollo: Delos, 190

  Lycia, 183

  Rome, 249

  Temple of Artemis, Ephesus, 16–18, 17, 20

  Temple of Asclepius: Cos, 163

  Delos, 122

  Epidaurus, 200

  Pergamon, 16, 227

  Temple of Athena, Ilium/Troy, 224

  Temple of Concord, Tralles, 18

  Temple of Isis, Rhodes, 182

  Temple of Jupiter, Rome, 35, 249

  Temple of Serapis, Delos, 122

  Temple of Venus, Rome, 249

  Temple of Zeus: Athens (Olympian Zeus), 228

  Nysa, 18

  Olympia, 200

  Pontus (Zeus Stratios), 79

  temples, asylum in, 16–18, 171, 275

  temples of love, 89–91

  in Armenia, 295

  in Cappadocia, 231

  at Comana Pontica, 90–91, 106, 282, 289

  Termessus, 157

  terrorism, 22–23, 229

  Tet Offensive effect, 236, 405n1

  Teutones, 160

  Thalestris, 328

  Theater of Dionysus, Pergamon, 159, 169, 193–94

  Thebes, 191, 196, 208

  Themiscrya, 279

  Theophanes, 171

  Theophilus of Paphlagonia, 18, 45

  Theophrastus, 201

  Theopompus of Sinope, 53

  theriacs, 239–46, 296. See also antidotes

  Thermopylae, 57

  Theseus, 304

  Third Book of the Sibylline Oracles, 35

  Third Punic War, 51, 110

  Thrace, 118, 261

  Tibareni, 279

  Tiberius, Emperor, 10, 243

  Tigranes II, the Great, 112

  as Armenian hero, 381n6

  assumption of crown by, 136

  characteristics as ruler, 296

  coin images of, 31, 301

  coins issued by, 387n7

  and comets, 30–32

  empire of, 31, 138–39, 255–58, 296

  M’s alliance with, plate 5, 31, 137–39, 147, 153, 246, 257–58, 278, 280, 289, 293–302, 304–5, 324–25

  Pompey’s conquest of, 329–30

  size of army of, 298, 411n14

  as young hostage, 136

  Tigranes IV, 100

  Tigranes the Younger, 299–300, 329, 357

  Tigranocerta, 138, 256, 258, 297–302, 412n19

  Timotheus, 240, 289, 309, 311

  tiryaq, 244

  tomb mounds. See kurgans

  tongue stones, 246–47

  Touwaide, Alain, 246

  toxicology. See antidotes; poison

  traitors, M’s treatment of, 214–18, 220, 345–46, 362

  Tralles, 18, 157, 175, 220

  Trapezus, 88, 113

  Triumphs: Lucullus, 275–76, 284, 309, 314

  Marius, 112

  Pompey, 312, 328, 351, 357–59

  Sulla, 229

  Trogus, Pompeius, 4, 4–5, 27, 75–76, 400n24

  Trojan War, 92–94, 186

  trophies, battle, 208

  Troy, 224, 274

  Truth, 46–47, 49, 60, 150, 369

  Trypho, 343

  Tsetskhladze, Gocha, 8

  Tullianum, 60, 112

  Turkey, 1, 3. See also Anatolia

  Turret-Folk, 86, 88, 277, 315, 325

  Tyrannio the Grammarian, 45, 250, 411n3

  ulcers, facial, 340, 353

  United Nations, 21, 23

  Vaga, Numidia, 112, 173

  Valerius Maximus, 254, 321, 356

  Varius, Marcus, 260
, 261, 264, 267, 274–76

  Velleius Paterculus, 26, 359

  vellum, 92

  venom, 57, 70, 101–2, 111, 238–42, 303

  Vespers, Asiatic. See massacres

  victory monuments, 208–10, 209, 212–13, 311

  Vietnam War, 236, 405n1

  vinegar, 92

  viper. See reptiles; venom

  virtual history, 5–6

  Voconius, 274, 276

  walnuts, 240, 245

  war banner comets, 28, 32

  war chariots, 49, 127, 148–51, 150, 206

  water mills, 2, 253

  wealth: M’s, 115–16, 155, 158, 163, 174, 190, 248, 274, 309, 324–25, 330

  Pompey’s, 357

  of Pontus, 52–53, 115, 279

  Sulla’s seizure of, 200–201, 204, 228, 229, 249

  weather, 181, 204, 271–74, 276, 308–10, 335

 

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