Citation

Tsoucalas G, Symvoulakis EK, Michaleas SN, Tzatzarakis MN, Karamanou M. Mil. Med. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

10.1093/milmed/usad052

PMID

37022265

Abstract

The rich land of Erythrae in the coast of Asia Minor attracted the attention of the Ionian king Codrus. An oracle demanded the presence of the murky deity Hecate for him to conquer the city. Priestess Chrysame was sent by Thessalians to set the strategy of the clash. The young sorceress poisoned a sacred bull who turned mad, later to be released toward the camp of Erythraeans. The beast was captured and sacrificed. In the feast that followed, all ate a piece of his flesh and went crazy, stimulated by the poison, an easy prey for the army of Codrus. The deleterium used by Chrysame is unknown, but her strategy shaped the origin of biowarfare.

Language: en