Defying death one sip at a time, mithridatism is the audacious ancient art of self-immunizing against poisons. Named after its most famous proponent, King Mithridates VI of Pontus , this practice encapsulates the extremes rulers went to in their quest for invulnerability.
A King’s Fear and His Audacious Solution
King Mithridates VI, who reigned the Kingdom of Pontus, in Northern Anatolia from 120–63 BC, was famously paranoid about being poisoned . This fear wasn’t entirely unfounded; the political landscape of his era was treacherous, with assassinations via poison being an all-too-common tool of powerplay. To counteract this ever-present threat, Mithridates concocted a bold plan: he would consume sublethal doses of various toxins, gradually increasing the amount over time, with the hope that he would develop immunity.
As the legend goes, his daily regimen involved ingesting small amounts of different poisons, meticulously noting the effects and adjusting the dosages. This self-experimentation, though fraught with danger, bore some success. Tales of his resistance to poisoning attempts became legendary, reinforcing his image as a ruler not only wise but also invincible.
However, Mithridatism’s ultimate irony lies in its reputed end. When facing imminent capture by the Romans, Mithridates allegedly attempted to end his life by consuming poison. But his immunity, cultivated over years, rendered the toxins ineffective. According to some historical accounts, in his desperation, the king had to…
