Locusta

• Locusta (c.54-69 CE) was one of three famous Roman Poisoners written about by Horace (Satires 1.8.1).
• Her preferred poison was Hemlock.

Biography

• 54 CE She was probably hired to poison Roman Emperor Claudius, by using a bowl of poisoned mushrooms, and when this failed, by a poisoned feather down the throat, on instructions by Claudius’ fourth wife, Agrippina the Younger.
• 55 CE She was hired by Nero to poison Claudius’ son, Britannicus, then granted immunity. She was possible hired by Nero to eliminate many other of his enemies.
• 69 CE Galba, the successor to Nero, had her executed.

Horace

• Horace writes about three well known Poisoners, Canidia, Martina as well as the notorious Locusta.
  • Canidia
    • She was a contemporary of Locusta and Martina. They acted as a Trio according to Horace Satires 1.8.1. Canidia preferred Hemlock in Honey.
  • Martina
    • She was also a contemporary of Locusta and Canidia. They acted as a Trio according to Horace Satires 1.8.1

Hemlock

• Hemlock Poisoning:
  • Within 15-30 minutes, the initial symptoms are nausea, vomiting, pain and loss of feeling in certain limbs.
  • This is followed by series of worsening involuntary seizures, with death resulting from respiratory failure within 2-3 hours.