Everything about Mithridatism totally explained
Mithridatism is the practice of protecting oneself against a
poison by gradually self-administering non-lethal amounts. The word derives from
Mithridates VI, the King of
Pontus, who so feared being poisoned that he regularly ingested small doses, aiming to develop
immunity. Having been defeated by
Pompey, legend has it that Mithridates tried to commit
suicide using poison but failed because of his immunity and so had to resort to having a
mercenary run him through with his
sword.
Generally, there's no practical purpose or favorable cost/benefit ratio for performing mithridatism except for people like zoo handlers, researchers, and circus artists who deal closely with venomous animals. Mithridatization has been tried with success in Australia and Brazil and total immunity has been achieved even to multiple bites of extremely venomous cobras and pit vipers.
Bill Haast successfully immunized himself to a number of species of venomous snakes.
As a metaphor
Mithridatism can also be used metaphorically, with a negative connotation. It can be said that someone has developed mithridatism when that person is indifferent (callus) towards a negative social phenomenon due to a very frequent exposure to such a phenomenon. For example a citizen of
San Francisco, a city with a very large
homeless population, can become indifferent towards homelessness.
In fiction
Mithridatism has been used as a plot device in novels, films, and TV shows including, among others,
Alexandre Dumas, père's
The Count of Monte Cristo;
Yoshiaki Kawajiri's
Ninja Scroll;
Dorothy Sayers's
Strong Poison;
Agatha Christie's
The Mysterious Affair at Styles;
William Goldman's
The Princess Bride (and the
movie of the same name); and
Frisky Dingo.
In poetry
A.E. Housman's "Terence, this is stupid stuff" (originally published in
A Shropshire Lad) invokes mithridatism as a metaphor for the benefit that serious poetry brings to the reader. The final section is a poetic rendition of the Mithridates legend.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Mithridatism'.
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