Locusta The Poisoner—Ancient Rome’s Deadliest Assassin,

Locusta the Poisoner—Ancient Rome’s Deadliest Assassin,

Perhaps the most feared woman in the ancient world, Locusta was a first century AD assassin who offered her services to wealthy and powerful Roman patricians, politicians, and military leaders. So infamous were her deeds that her career was detailed by Juvenal, Seutonius, Cassius Dio, and Tacitus. Born in Gaul (modern day France) Locusta was raised by her mother to be an herbalist, a healer who specialized in using medicinal plants and herbs. However, her career abruptly changed when she moved to Rome in search for greater opportunities, she found that her skills could put to much more lucrative uses killing people rather than healing. Rome was rife with political intrigue, and skilled assassins were in high demand.

Locusta intensely studied poisonous plants, becoming a “master poisoner” in short time. She knew of scores of different poisons; poisons that could bring about a heart attack, poisons that could cause a stroke, poisons that affected the nervous system, even poisons that would make it seem like the victim had died of something completely natural, such as the flu or plague. For several years, Locusta hired out her services to wealthy patrician families and powerful politicians, or whoever was the highest bidder. In 54 AD Locusta was approached by Agrippina, wife of Emperor Claudius, with perhaps the biggest and most important job of her career; to assassinate the Emperor himself. Agrippina wanted her son from another marriage to be Emperor, and thus Claudius had to go. On October 13th, Locusta infiltrated Claudius’ palace, distracting a guard by placing a laxative in his drink. She then tainted a dish of mushrooms, Claudius’ favorite dish, with strychnine. Claudius consumed the poisoned mushrooms. A few hours later, he began suffering strong stomach cramps, then he began foaming at the mouth and convulsing. Agrippina appeared to attempt to force Claudius to vomit the poison by sticking a feather down his throat. Of course, the feather was also poisoned by Locusta with a potent toxin. Emperor Claudius died a short time later.

When Nero came to throne, he made Locusta his personal assassin. Among another of her famous hits was the poisoning of his brother, Britannicus, whom he felt threatened his rule. Between 55 and 68 AD, Locusta was responsible for removing a number of Nero’s rivals and enemies. Of course, Nero was not a popular Emperor, and after the burning of Rome he was stripped of his titles and declared an enemy of the state by the senate. After Nero’s suicide Rome fell into a chaotic civil war as Roman generals and warlords fought for control over the empire. One of these generals, a short reigning Emperor named Galba, despised Locusta because of her former status as Nero’s chief assassin. On January 15th, 69 AD, Locusta was dragged from her home into the streets of Rome, and was publicly executed.

Fjorn's Hall: A Concise Content Catalog

***Read this post if you're looking for an online source to help you learn more about Norse/Viking history and mythology.***

↟ OVERVIEW ↟

What is Fjorn’s Hall? An affordable and accessible place for anyone to learn Norse history, literature, and lore from a reliable source.

Who runs it? Me, of course! Fjorn the Skald. I have a Master's degree in History, and I'm an inclusive person (as well as an animistic pagan, of sorts).

Who learns there? Everyone is welcome in the Hall, but racism, prejudice, and other toxic ideologies are not tolerated.

What does it offer?

Raids (aka informal courses), including readable lessons, lecture videos, quizzes, and study materials.

Resources, including lore tomes (aka reference pages for Norse gods and goddesses), digital maps, and libraries.

A Podcast with weekly episodes covering material from our Raids (along with special bonus episodes).

Access to a friendly and helpful community of fellow students (as well as a place where Fjorn can answer your questions directly).

How much does it cost? A lot is actually free, but everything else can be accessed with either a $5 or $10/month subscription.

↟ CATALOG ↟

Free = blue link; $5 sub = orange; $10 sub = green

~ RAIDS ~

The 'Vikings'

The North

Setting the Stage

The Viking Age

The Vikings: Study Guides & Test

Remnants from the Void

Norse Cosmology

Gods & Goddesses

Giants, Dwarves & Elves

Healing from Gods, Magic & Runes

Healing from Herb & Hand

Herbal Remedies & Medical Books

Herbal Gardens & Monastic Medicine

Medical Miracles by Northern Saints

Famous Medieval Scandinavian Healers

Healing in the North: Study Guides & Test

Days & Time

Weeks

Months & Holidays

Years & Reckoning

Old Calendars: Study Guides & Quiz

Environment

Farmsteads

Labor

Realities & Change

Farmsteads & Agriculture: Study Guides & Test

What Are Land-Spirits?

Don't Scare Them!

Dealing with New Neighbors

Whale-Wizard vs Land-Guardians

Unleashing Their Fury in Feud

Salty Men Preach Against the Land-Spirits

Land-Spirits: Study Guides & Test

Sigvat's Journey

Redden the Hillocks

Unravelling Old Stories

Elf-Sacrifice: Study Guides & Quiz

The Medieval World of Nikulás Bergsson

Pilgrimage in the Medieval North

~ RESOURCES ~

Lore Tome: Odin

Lore Tome: Thor

Lore Tome: Loki

Lore Tome: Freyr

Lore Tome: Freyja

Lore Tome: Tyr

Map: Medieval Iceland

Map: Nikulás' Pilgrimage

Map: The People of the North

Academic Library

Digital Library

Saga Library

Public Lecture: Njal's Saga

Public Lecture: 'Viking' Love Stories

~ PODCAST ~

***New episodes weekly (every Wednesday)***

Introducing Fjorn's Hall: Skald Edition

The 'Vikings'

The People of the North, Part 1

The People of the North, Part 2

An Age of Wolves: 400-550 CE

Rising from the Ashes: 550-750 CE

Bonus 1: Notes on Viking-Age Rogaland (and More)

Kickstarting the Viking Age

Taking Raids to a New Level

Winding Down the Viking Age

Remnants from the Void

Myth in Eddic and Skaldic Poetry

NEW! Bonus 2: Notes on Viking-Age Cargo Ships

And there you have it! Fjorn's Hall is filled with lore to be learned—but what you see above is only the beginning, for new content is added to our hoard all the time, both free and exclusive! I'll be updating and reblogging this catalog from time to time, especially whenever new content has been released. I hope you won't mind!

But until next time, keep wandering.

— Fjorn the Skald

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twiggietruth

8 years ago

Untitled Goddess

Fenghua Zhong

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twiggietruth

5 years ago

Hops – an unwholesome weed.

In 1426 an innkeeper in Kent was fined for putting a weed into the beer – hops. Jack Cade’s rebellion of 1450 was blamed on hops rather than the ineptitude of the government in at least…

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twiggietruth

8 years ago

Broken Promises International Congregation of Lord RayEL The International Congregation of Lord Rayel #ufocult #angelusdomini #raymondlear #religiouscult #lordrayelexposed #lordrayel #ecumenicalorderofchrist #sanctuaryinterfaith #holyapostolicorderofchrist #torahcodes #richardruff

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ecumenicalorderofchrist lordrayelexposed lordrayel raymondlear religiouscult torahcodes sanctuaryinterfaith holyapostolicorderofchrist angelusdomini ufocult richardruff

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twiggietruth

2 years ago

refseek.com

www.worldcat.org/

link.springer.com

http://bioline.org.br/

repec.org

science.gov

pdfdrive.com

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twiggietruth

4 years ago

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twiggietruth

8 years ago

The International Congregation of Lord Rayel #ufocult #angelusdomini #raymondlear #religiouscult #lordrayelexposed #lordrayel

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lordrayelexposed lordrayel raymondlear religiouscult angelusdomini ufocult

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twiggietruth

8 years ago

The International Congregation of Lord Rayel #ufocult #angelusdomini #raymondlear #religiouscult #lordrayelexposed #lordrayel #ecumenicalorderofchrist

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ecumenicalorderofchrist lordrayelexposed lordrayel raymondlear religiouscult angelusdomini ufocult

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twiggietruth

8 years ago

International Congregation of Lord RayEL #lordrayelexposed #lordrayel #falseprophet #raymondlear #angelusdomini

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lordrayelexposed lordrayel falseprophet raymondlear angelusdomini

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twiggietruth

8 years ago

“They ascended higher and higher in the divine life, and lived in the enjoyment of the Beatific Vision being filled with that interior peace and tranquillity known and experienced only by those who understand the mysteries of the higher and divine life.”

- Zohar

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