Locusta

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.

 

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