African Journals Online
Akroterion - Journal for the Classics in South Africa

Volume 45, December 2000

Alexander die Grote se leer en die oorlogstres-sindroom, 326 v.C.
Cilliers, L.Retief, F.P.

Abstract: In die somer van 326 v.C. is Alexander die Grote se Asiatiese veroweringsveldtog van sewe jaar onverwags aan die bolope van die Indus-rivier gestuit - nie deur vyandelike aksie nie, maar deur die weiering van sy soldate om verder ooswaarts te trek. 'n Moontlike rede vir sulke drastiese optrede deur 'n leër wat hul koning tot op daardie stadium blindelings gevolg het, is dat erge oorlogstres kon ingetree het. Die oorlogstres-sindroom, soos vandag gedefineer, is goed nagevors, en in hierdie artikel word die moontlikheid ondersoek dat dit by bovermelde geleentheid 'n beslissende rol kon gespeel het. Sou dít dalk die verklaring kon wees vir hierdie dramatiese gebeurtenis waarin Alexander se droom van 'n ryk wat tot aan die einde van die wêreld strek, verpletter is - deur sy eie soldate?

Vicious dogs a case study from 2000 BC to AD 2000
Zietsman, J.C.

Abstract: Damage caused by animals is one of the aspects of law dealt with by legal codes dating as far back as the Old Babylonian period (1894-1595 BC). As part of a discussion of the legal aspects involved under such circumstances and of how losses were compensated for, the purpose of this article is to give the reader a broad overview of the ancient legal codes and law collections, to indicate the legal philosophies and similarities inherent to these codes, and to indicate to what extent the modern South African legal system derived its application of the concept of pauperies ("damage caused by animals") directly from Roman law.

Poisons, poisoning and the drug trade in ancient Rome
Cilliers, L. Retief, F.P.

Abstract: The first recorded instance of poisoning in ancient Rome occurred in 331 BC when, during an epidemic, a large number of women were accused of concerted mass poisoning. Overreaction of the community in times of stress particularly, when scapegoats for unexplained phenomena are sought, might have played an important role in this and many subsequent incidents of suspected poisoning. Rome represented a culture steeped in superstition, fear and mythology with virtually no scientific means of retrospectively proving or disproving alleged poisoning. The drug trade in antiquity is briefly reviewed, from the Marsi and rootcutters who collected materials, and the intermediary herbalists and drug pedlars, to the physicians and other prescribers of drugs. There was a general lack of proper knowledge, which led to much abuse and death of patients. The distinction between these professional groups was often vague and physicians were generally not held in high regard. From authoritative writings of Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Pliny and others it is evident that the Romans were aware of a very large number of toxic (and assumed toxic) substances, of plant, animal and mineral origin, but it is evident that the poisoners of ancient Rome almost exclusively made use of plant (and to lesser extent animal) products, and not mineral poisons. A brief overview of the recorded crimes by poison, and known poison dispensers of the time is given. Poisoning probably reached a maximum during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when the Julio-Claudian emperors in particular achieved great notoriety, and a wide variety of specific and "universal" antidotes came into vogue.