Without a doubt, the most notorious Roman poisoner was Lucusta, who operated at Nero’s court. However, she was not the only woman to engage in this dark occupation (or at least to be suspected of it). The eastern part of the empire could “boast” of Martina.
She lived in the 1st century CE, came from Syria, and most likely lived in Antioch. We know nothing about her family. However, we are certain that she was friends with Munia Plancina – the wife of the then governor of Syria, Gnaeus Carpinius Piso – and that she dabbled in magic and poisoning (which were practically synonymous in ancient times).
When Germanicus died in 19 CE while residing in Antioch, suspicion fell on her – she was believed to have poisoned him with sorcery on Piso’s orders (he, in turn, according to some speculations, acted on the orders of Emperor Tiberius, driven by jealousy of Germanicus’s successes).
Germanicus – Tiberius’s nephew, popular among the people – arrived in Syria via Egypt with his wife, Agrippina the Elder, after victorious military campaigns in the east (in Cappadocia and Commogene). Upon reaching the provincial capital, he fell seriously ill.
Even if he had suffered a simple infection, as is often the case, suspicions of deliberate poisoning or the casting of an evil spell quickly arose. The disturbing discoveries in the house where Germanicus and Agrippina were staying added to the horror of the case. Inside, it was said to contain curse tablets (tabella defixionis)—pieces of metal inscribed with spells and curses—and even human remains. All this led to Germanicus’s physical and mental breakdown, which led to his death shortly thereafter. The key evidence that his death was caused by poisoning and witchcraft emerged during the ceremonial cremation: the deceased’s heart was said not to have burned like the rest of the body because of the poison that filled it.
Accused of this murder, Piso, Martina, and Placina traveled to Rome for trial. The alleged witch, however, never reached him – she perished off the coast of Brundisium (modern Brindisi), most likely killed by Piso. He himself committed suicide shortly thereafter, and his wife, Placina, was cleared of the accusations thanks to her friendship with Livia, Tiberius’ mother.
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- An example of a cursing tablet (tabella defixionis). Their history dates back to the 5th century BCE. They were widely used in ancient Rome and Greece (mostly by the lower classes). (Public domain)
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- Death of Germanicus, Nicholas Poussin
