Poison on the plate

What are Death Cap Mushrooms? The Death Cap mushroom is basically a fungus, which is responsible for the most mushroom poisonings in the world. Scientifically named Amanita phalloides, it is one of the most lethal mushrooms. Found throughout Europe, the mycelia (the thin network of fungal filaments) of the fungus forms associations with the roots of broad-leaved trees like Chestnut and Oak for nutrient exchange. This kind of a relationship is called a “Mycorrhizal relationship”.

These toxic mushrooms resemble edible species, leading to many cases of accidental poisoning. They have greenish/yellowish- white caps, which are often sticky to touch. However, for an untrained eye, it is extremely difficult to differentiate between the Death cap and other edible mushrooms.

A person who eats a Death Cap mushroom will not show any symptoms for 10-14 hours, after which the patient will suffer from vomiting, diarrhoea and cramps, which disappear after a while. After 3-4 days, the patient suffers a kidney or liver failure, and will die within 5-10 days of ingesting the mushroom. The Roman Emperor Claudius is said to have been poisoned by the Death cap mushroom by his wife to make Nero the next Emperor.

The chief toxic component of the mushroom is Alpha- amanitin, which along with Beta-amanitin, inhibits protein synthesis in the cells of the body. The main organ affected is the liver, because it is the first organ that is encountered after absorption in the digestive tract.

Phials of powders and potions lay in disarray all over the floor. A delicate pair of scales stood on the high table, well out of the reach of the black cat, which lay as silent as death under the small, three-legged stool in the dark, dingy room.

The contents of a big iron cauldron bubbled away merrily, its vapours rising into thick white spirals that wafted around, visible from the single shaft of sunlight that beamed in through a hole in the roof. The cat’s whiskers twitched; it didn’t seem very happy, but it was quite accustomed to the musty and foul stench that usually filled the room.

After all, he was his mistress Locusta’s favourite cat, and he was in her favourite room- the one where she made her potions— and poisons.

Locusta walked around the room muttering to herself.. “If only I could find that idiot of a girl who came to assist me”, she grumbled. “How dare she run away with my stock of Mandrake root powder!” Locusta wasn’t very young, but it didn’t show on her face. She had managed, with her skill in concocting potions, to find solutions for her ageing skin. Despite her arthritic knees and the slight hump of her back, Locusta still looked beautiful.

Martina, Locusta’s rival, was another skilled hand at making poisons. But she was old, and she looked it. “The old hag”, was what Locusta called her. But Canidia, the other infamous poison maker of Rome, had age on her side- she was still young, but was only third in comparison to Locusta and Martina in terms of skill. It was no wonder then that Locusta, with her beauty, and skill, had managed to have entire Rome trembling at her feet. People came from far and wide to get a potent poison from Locusta to kill their enemies- and she never failed them.

A bell rang somewhere, announcing the entry of a visitor. Locusta turned around, a frown on her face. Visitors were not allowed inside at that hour.

A hooded figure stepped into the room. It was a woman, and her furtive eyes swept around the room as her cloak that covered the rest of her face and form trailed behind her. “Visitors are not welcome now”, said Locusta haughtily, “Leave!”

The visitor did not budge. “But I am no ordinary visitor, Locusta”, she said, her sharp voice ringing through the room. As she moved forward her cloak fell off, revealing a beautiful lady dressed in royal silk. Her face showed determination, but her eyes showed ruthlessness.

Locusta gasped and fell to her knees. “Your Highness”, she whispered. “Forgive me.” For the visitor was none other than the Empress of Rome, Agrippina, the most powerful woman in Rome at the time.

“What brings you here, your Highness?” asked Locusta, hurriedly offering a seat to the Queen.

“As you know, Locusta”, Agrippina said, refusing the seat with a wave of her hand, “I have made use of your services before— with satisfactory results.”

“Yes, your highness”, mumbled Locusta, a little apprehensive about what was coming. Had she by mistake, ministered her poisons to a friend or relative of Agrippina’s? Had Agrippina come to punish her for her mistake? Locusta shivered a little at the thought.

Agrippina, however, took no notice of Locusta’s pensive state. “Now it is time for you to concoct the most potent poison ever”, she continued. “A poison that can be administered without arousing suspicion.”

Locusta heaved a sigh of relief. It looked like Agrippina had come to make use of her services after all. She relaxed a bit. “For whom is the poison, your highness?” she asked.

Agrippina turned her sharp gaze on her. “It is for Claudius— my husband and the Emperor of Rome.”

Locusta was shocked, and at the same time puzzled. She knew Agrippina was a strong, vile and ruthless woman who would go to any lengths to get what she wanted. But this was unexpected.

“Why the Emperor?” Locusta enquired. “If it is to make your son Nero the future emperor of Rome, I would ask you to plot a less risky murder— that of Brittanicus, Claudius’ own son.”

“Brittanicus? He is too weak to usurp the kingdom on his own”, Agrippina laughed mirthlessly. “But yes, his father is getting a little too fond of him”, she said softly. “A feeling that is too dangerous to be allowed.”

“And you want Claudius terminated before he chooses his own son as his successor over Nero, his step-son?” Locusta asked.

“Precisely”, snapped Agrippina. “Set to work now. I want the most deadly poison ever, one that simply cannot fail. You will be rewarded well. And remember, there should be no suspicion. It would be best if he dies only a few days after taking it.”

Locusta feverishly worked on the Empress’ request day and night. She tried out ingredient after ingredient, potion after potion, but she was simply not satisfied. She invented poisons that were deadlier than any she had made earlier, but all caused instant death.

She was in one of her potion mixing sessions when her maid came rushing in. “Your assistant is dead!” she cried. “Serve her right”, said Locusta unfeelingly, thinking about the Mandrake root the girl had stolen from her. “How did it happen?”

“They say she had a mild stomach upset a few days ago. She was alright again for a few days, and suddenly, she fell ill and died.”

Locusta was suddenly interested. “How could that be? She was quite healthy!”

“Her sister told me”, whispered the maid. “That she ate some greenish-white mushrooms that she found deep in the forest.”

Locusta sighed. She had hoped to find some new poison that no one knew about. But if the dead girl’s sister had already told her maid, then she must have told others as well.

“But she told this only to me, you see”, said the maid proudly. “It’s our secret.”

“Why?” asked Locusta.

“Because if she tells others, they’d ask her why her sister went into the forest? No one knows that that’s where she used to hide the things she stole from others!”

That very night, Locusta made a trip to the forest and collected the deadly Death Cap mushrooms.

Claudius, the Roman Emperor and the great- great grandnephew of Julius Ceasar, sat down to his dinner. His taster, Halotus, stood beside him at the table, a little apprehensive. A little away, out of Claudius’ sight, stood Agrippina, watching both of them.

“So no poison in my food today, eh?” Claudius joked. “You’re sure none of my wives want me killed today?” He laughed bitterly, thinking of his daily fights with Agrippina.

“I have already tasted the food, your Highness”, said Halotus, a slight tremor to his voice.

Claudius took his meal, talking merrily to Halotus, unaware of the poison from the Death Cap mushrooms being mixed in his meal. That night, he slept soundly.

The next morning, the royal physician was called to the Emperor’s bedside to treat him for severe diarrhoea and cramps. The physician assured him of a speedy recovery, while taking a bag of gold from the queen on the sly. Claudius confidently gave a haughty smile to his detractors, which included Agrippina, as he returned to normalcy that night.

Agrippina did not react. She smiled to herself. Ten days later, as Claudius lay in his grave, her son Nero was crowned King.

By: Sneha Verghese