# The Unlikely Defeat of Roman Forces by Bees
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The Influence of Insects on Historical Battles
Throughout history, tiny creatures have had a significant impact on warfare. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte faced defeat against the Ottoman Empire due to a flea-borne plague, and three years later, yellow fever mosquitoes derailed his plans in Haiti. However, his most devastating loss to insects came in 1812, when his Grande Armée succumbed to louse-borne typhus, resulting in 200,000 casualties.
“Insects have been killing humans by the millions throughout history.”
- Jeffrey A. Lockwood, “Six-Legged Soldiers”
These minuscule beings often go unnoticed, but they can be more than mere nuisances. Historical accounts suggest that insects have thwarted some of the greatest conquerors, including the legendary Alexander the Great.
The Art of Insect Warfare
Humans have recognized the formidable power of insects and have learned to wield it in conflict. As noted by Lockwood, there are various innovative uses of insects in warfare, including bee cannons in Nigeria and containers of stinging insects designed for launching against enemies.
In addition to direct attacks, humans have effectively utilized insects as carriers of harmful pathogens and toxins. Our focus today centers on Rome, which, despite its military prowess, lacked adequate defenses against insects, particularly when sweetened by honey.
A Peculiar Encounter with Bees
“Given that the Pythia was also called a bee-oracle and predicted the future under the influence of an intoxicating substance, it seems quite possible that mead spiked with mad honey was the secret inspiration of the Delphic Oracle.”
— Adrienne Mayor, “Mad Honey!”
According to Lockwood, around the 5th century BC, an army of Greeks led by Xenophon camped in a region of Turkey called Colchis. They discovered an abundance of bees and, driven by hunger, sought out their honey. However, after indulging, the soldiers experienced a sudden loss of coordination, akin to intoxication, followed by severe illness.
Xenophon concluded that they were vulnerable to attack and forced his weakened troops to retreat. The cause of this bizarre reaction was later identified as rhododendron, a plant whose nectar is toxic to humans but harmless to bees. Consequently, the bees incorporated the neurotoxin grayanotoxin into their honey, causing the soldiers to poison themselves.
Mithridates VI: The Antagonist to Rome
Mithridates VI emerged as a formidable adversary to Rome, shaped by a turbulent childhood marked by family betrayal. He developed a reputation as a cunning leader, claiming descent from both Cyrus the Great and Alexander the Great. This strategic positioning allowed him to garner support from both Greek and Persian factions.
Mithridates expanded his kingdom of Pontus around the Black Sea, making him a significant threat to Roman interests. His expansionist ambitions led to three wars with Rome, during which he orchestrated the massacre of tens of thousands of Romans.
The Siege of Eupatoria
In an interesting twist, during a siege led by Roman general Licinius Lucullus, Mithridates countered by releasing bees through holes in the city walls. This unexpected tactic, combined with poison arrows and flaming tar, forced the Romans to retreat.
The final confrontation led by Pompey the Great eventually subdued Mithridates in 65 BC. However, the king fled to Colchis, a region known for its bees.
The first video showcases the battle strategies involving bees during ancient times.
The Romans, in pursuit of Mithridates, stumbled upon a cache of honey left behind by his forces. Much like Xenophon’s troops centuries earlier, the Roman soldiers indulged, only to become ill and incapacitated. A local tribe allied with Mithridates then took advantage of this weakness, launching an attack on the weakened Romans.
A Historical Legacy of Honey
The second video discusses the dramatic encounters between the Roman Empire and Germanic tribes, including the implications of honey in warfare.
Surprisingly, the phenomenon of tainted honey continues to resonate in modern times. Professor Vaughn Bryant notes that “mad honey” from Eastern Turkey can sell for up to $166 per pound due to its hallucinogenic properties. This sweet substance has been traditionally used for recreational purposes in local communities, including a recent documentary by VICE on harvesting it in Nepal.
Interestingly, beekeepers in Ribeauville, France, discovered their bees producing blue and green honey after foraging on M&M's, creating a colorful and artistic product.
Thus, the lessons of ancient history echo in contemporary times, as even something as simple as honey can hold unexpected consequences. Who would have thought that bees could bring down Roman legions and the Greek phalanx alike?