Every civilisation seems to have its own legendary weapon. For medieval Europe, it was Greek fire. For Japan, the elusive ninja poisons. For the ancient Scythians, it was a substance so feared that even centuries after the nomadic warriors disappeared, classical writers continued to describe it with a mixture of horror and fascination. Its name was Scythicon. Unlike mythical weapons said to possess magical powers, Scythicon appears to have been very real—or at least based upon a genuine military practice. Ancient authors described it as a gruesome poison applied to arrowheads, capable of causing agonising deaths long after the initial wound. The exact recipe varies between historical accounts, and no surviving sample has ever been identified, leaving historians to piece together its composition from scattered references. Was Scythicon truly one of history's deadliest poisons, or did its fearsome reputation grow larger with every retelling? As with many ancient mysteries, the truth...
Follow the Clues. Challenge the Narrative.