It seems poppies were cultivated about 5000 years ago in Mesopotamia (always way ahead of everyone else), and 2000 years after that, poppies were well known in and heavily exported by Egypt, and thence spread throughout the mediterranean ancient world. According to a presumably reliable source (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/heroin/etc/history.html), the Greeks spread poppies into India during the time of Alexander.
Greek and Roman doctors knew the uses of different types of poppies, though some considered poppies too dangerous and poisonous even for medicinal use; and there were religious and ceremonial uses as well. Apparently, in our time (that is, in SPQR Blues time), several varieties of derived narcotics could be had from Egypt.
And, poppy seeds were used in Roman cooking, just as today. Maybe I will serve up some dormouse sprinkled with poppy seeds and honey for our U.S. Thanksgiving holiday today....
I was unable to find a poppy for November 11th when I was on my business trip, so they have been very much on my mind lately :)
Once I start talking, sometimes it's hard to stop...
Greek and Roman doctors knew the uses of different types of poppies, though some considered poppies too dangerous and poisonous even for medicinal use; and there were religious and ceremonial uses as well. Apparently, in our time (that is, in SPQR Blues time), several varieties of derived narcotics could be had from Egypt.
And, poppy seeds were used in Roman cooking, just as today. Maybe I will serve up some dormouse sprinkled with poppy seeds and honey for our U.S. Thanksgiving holiday today....
I was unable to find a poppy for November 11th when I was on my business trip, so they have been very much on my mind lately :)