Did Mithridates try to kill himself?

He reportedly attempted suicide by poison. This attempt failed because of his immunity to the poison. According to Appian’s Roman History, he then requested his Gallic bodyguard and friend, Bituitus, to kill him by the sword: Mithridates then took out some poison that he always carried next to his sword, and mixed it.

What poison did Mithridates use?

Supposedly, Mithridates created and regularly ingested a universal antidote for all identified toxins, which became known as mithridate.

Why did some ancient leaders drink Mithridatium?

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.

Who was the king who was immune to poison?

Mithridates
Mithridates was one of the most formidable foes of the Roman Empire. When he was finally defeated by Pompey he attempted to poison himself but was unsuccessful because he had built up such an immunity to poisons.

Who was the inventor of the Mithridate remedy?

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 be created by Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus in the 1st century BC.

Who is the author of the play Mithridate?

This article is about the remedy; Mithridate is also a 1673 play by Jean Racine. For other uses, see Mithridates Elaborately gilded drug jar for storing mithridate. By Annibale Fontana, about 1580–90

What does Mithridate stand for in medical terms?

The term mithridate has come to refer to any generally all-purpose antidote. Three drug jars for mithridatum. Mithridates’ father was assassinated by poisoning, according to some at his mother’s orders.

How did Mithridates VI win the Second Mithridatic War?

The lenient peace treaty, which was never ratified by the Senate, allowed Mithridates VI to restore his forces. Murena attacked Mithridates in 83 BC, provoking the Second Mithridatic War from 83 BC to 81 BC. Mithridates defeated Murena’s two green legions at the Battle of Halys in 82 BC before peace was again declared by treaty.