Rome TV sereies

[Romeo]

In one scene, a soldier says that when he gets to Rome he will 'Drink all the wine, smoke all the smoke and **** all the ******'. Smoke what? Tobacco wouldn't be introduced to Europe for nearly 1200 years. The series is otherwise technically accurate and well researched, so why did nobody pick up on this?

[Ethel]

Well the Ancient Romans had opium so probably smoked that.

http://www.medicinaantiqua.org.uk/Medant/poiso ns.htm

http://www.plantcultures.org/plants/opium_popp y_history.html

[Romeo]

Thanks, Ethel, that's probably it. By the way, when I said 1200 years I should have said 1500. Sorry about that.

[kempie]

Do not forget that ancient cultures of the mediterranean would burn and inhale incense during public worship. It has been suggested that the ceremonial use of incense in contemporary ritual is most likely a relic of the time when the psychoactive properties of incense containing hemp or suchlike brought the ancient worshipper "in touch with supernatural forces".