Latest / Nero: Mad Tyrant or Misunderstood Emperor? — Fexingo History
Nero's Poison Ring: Locusta, Poisoncraft, and the Death of Burrus
In this episode, Lucas and Luna delve into the shadowy world of imperial poison and the infamous poisoner Locusta. They explore her role in the deaths of Claudius and Britannicus, the chemistry of ancient venoms like atropa belladonna and aconite, and the suspicious death of Nero's trusted advisor Burrus in 62 AD. Lucas explains how Locusta's methods reveal the intersection of Roman statecraft, crime, and early toxicology, and how her story challenges our image of Nero as a mere madman. They also uncover the political fallout of Burrus's death, which removed a key counterweight…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.