Ancient times – poison in arrow

The Scythians, legendary nomadic warriors of the Eurasian steppes, were renowned for their formidable prowess in battle and their innovative use of biological warfare. Archaeological evidence from excavations of Scythian burial sites reveals the sophisticated tactics employed by these warriors, particularly in the design and deployment of their arrows. Scythian archers utilized barbed arrows with wooden shafts intricately decorated to resemble venomous vipers, creating a terrifying spectacle on the battlefield. The psychological impact of facing a barrage of arrows painted to resemble flying snakes with lethal fangs would have been daunting enough, but the true horror lay in the poison applied to the arrowheads.

The potency of the Scythian warriors’ biological arsenal was further heightened by their use of a notorious poison known as scythicon. Ancient Greek sources describe this deadly concoction as a vile blend of snake venom, decomposed vipers’ bodies, human blood, and dung, underscoring the brutality of ancient warfare. The application of scythicon to their arrows transformed these projectiles into lethal instruments capable of inflicting excruciating pain and death upon their victims. The combination of innovative weaponry and deadly toxins illustrates the Scythians’ ruthless determination to secure victory on the battlefield, cementing their reputation as some of the most feared biological warriors of antiquity.