For those who have caught the reruns of I Claudius on BBC4 lately, it comes as no surprise to learn that the ancients were up to all manner of tricks and deceits back in the day.
Stalker was surprised to learn that the Emperor Claudius was apparently murdered by his 'good' wife Agrippina. The consensus of ancient historians was that Claudius was murdered by poison – possibly contained in mushrooms.
This is perhaps the first assassination attributed to mushrooms in the annals of history. Perhaps there are many more, however this is surely the most high profile political killing using the much maligned mushroom.
Stalker will keep searching to see if there are more tales of mushroom murder out there.
