Politics and Poisoning Part One

Poisons have been  used to change political environments since man first walked on earth.  This year we are in the midst of fierce local, statewide and national elections.   To celebrate I will write a brief entry on each presidential or vice-presidential debate day.  Tonight when President Obama squares off with Governor Romney you can sit back, enjoy the rhetoric and think poisons.

As long ago as 336 BC King Artaxeres III of Persia was murdered by his chief minister Bagoas.  Bagoas wanted to place Artaxeres IV on the throne, a king he could easily control.  When King Artaxeres IV started to push his independence Bagoas poisoned him too elevating King Darius to the Persian throne.  But Darius proved too sharp for Bagoas.  When Bagoas attempted to poison Darius the tables were turned and Bagoas drank the poison instead.    

Alexander the Great (Alexander III of Macedonia) died in 323 BC in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, in Babylon, at age 32.  It is said that Alexander entertained admiral Nearchus and spent the night and next day drinking wine with Medius of Larissa.  Alexander rapidly developed fever, muscle weakness and pain.  He died in agony 14 days later.  Antipater, who was recently removed as Macedonian viceroy, and at odds with Olympias, was  fingered by many as leader of the plot.  Antipater purportedly arranged for Alexander to be poisoned by his son Iollas, who was Alexander's wine-pourer. Another theory is the Alexander died of poisoning from drinking the bacteria infested water from the river Styx.   

Poisoning for political gain has existed since long before the time of Christ.  Next week we will jump ahead 1,000 years for a couple more fascinating poisonings.