Mithridates emerged from hiding and returned to Pontus between 116 BC and 113 BC. Mithradates VI Eupator on a silver coin of Pontus, 2nd–1st century BCE (Yale University Art Gallery)

He invented an intricate 'universal antidote' against poisoning. We cannot know who Mithridates met while in hiding or how he came by the knowledge, but it is said he consumed non-lethal levels of poisons and mixed these into a tonic to make him immune. When he experienced pain during meals, which he suspected was brought on by slow poisoning by his own mother, he fled into the wilderness. Mithridates, however, was not the only competitor for the throne, as his brother was favored by their mother. Upon his death, she became regent of Pontus until a male heir was of age. In his early teens, Mithridates' mother poisoned his father at a lavish banquet. Under his leadership, Pontus expanded to absorb several of its small neighbors and he briefly contested Rome’s control in Asia Minor. He has been called the greatest ruler of the Kingdom of Pontus.

He claimed lineage from many revered warriors - Cyrus the Great, the family of Darius the Great, as well as Alexander the Great. Mithridates was a prince of Persian and Greek ancestry.

This astonishing cure was not invented by a doctor but by Mithridates VI Eupator Dionysus, also known as Mithridates the Great, who was born in 135 BC and king of Pontus until 63 BC. Petrus Andreas Matthiolus, naturalist and personal physician to various European royalty, considered it more effective against poisons than Venice treacle - and easier to make! The term now refers to any all-purpose antidote to poison. This somewhat mythical, ancient tonic which contained more than 60 ingredients, was used for centuries, particularly in Italy and France as an antidote. Mithridate was one of the most complex and highly sought-after preparations during the Middle Ages and Renaissance era.

Mitherades v universal antidote