Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Stanford’s Adrienne Mayor to speak on Mithradates at Moses Finley Memorial Lecture Oct. 18

Monday, September 27, 2010, By News Staff
Share
speakers

Adrienne Mayor, research scholar in classics and history of science at Stanford University, will deliver the Moses Finley Lecture at Syracuse University Monday, Oct. 18, at 4:30 p.m. in Maxwell Auditorium. Mayor will present her recent book, “The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome’s Deadliest Enemy” (Princeton University Press, 2009). 

The event is part of the Finley Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Program in Classics in The College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics; SU Library Associates; The SU Humanities Center; and Arts and Sciences alumnus Robert Papworth ’68.

mayorMayor is a folklorist/historian of science who investigates parallels between ancient “folk science” and modern scientific methods. “I’m drawn to intriguing topics from the ancient world that have broad interest today, but are neglected by modern historians and scientists,” says Mayor. Her research has been featured on National Public Radio, British Broadcasting Corp., the History Channel and most recently in the New York Times and National Geographic. 

“The Poison King” focuses on the world’s first experimental toxicologist, Mithradates, and the potions and poisons he concocted as he began his war against the Roman Empire in the first century B.C. Mayor’s book won a gold medal for biography at the Independent Publishers Book Award 2010. It was also a National Book Award Finalist in 2009. 

Mayor became fascinated with Mithradates while writing, “Greek Fire, Poison Arrows and Scorpion Bombs” (Overlook, 2003), which has been featured on the History Channel’s shows about biological and chemical weapons in the ancient world. 

“Mithradates perfected a recipe for the ‘universal antidote,’ containing tiny amounts of more than 50 toxins and antidotes believed to protect one from all poisons. The recipe is now lost,” says Mayor. “One of my goals in ‘The Poison King’ was to try to figure out the ingredients in his famous elixir and to understand the scientific principles underlying his experiments and discoveries.” 

Mayor will reveal what she found in her lecture. 

The Finley Lecture Series honors the memory of Sir Moses I. Finley ’27, who graduated from Syracuse at age 16, the youngest student ever to earn a degree from the University. After completing graduate work at Columbia University, he joined the faculty of Rutgers University. Summoned to testify before the United State Senate Internal Security Committee in 1954, Finley refused to answer question about his personal political beliefs. After moving to England, he became known as one of the 20th century’s most influential historians, and enjoyed a long and distinguished career as professor of ancient history and as master of Darwin College at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of more than 20 scholarly works, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1979.

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Funding Opportunities for Syracuse Abroad Summer 2021 programs
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021, By Ashley Alessandrini
  • College of Law Adds Vincent H. Cohen ’92, L’95 to Board of Advisors
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021, By Martin Walls
  • Students Invited to Network and Skill-Build with Alumni
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021, By Gabrielle Lake
  • ‘Confronting ‘Who We Are”
    Tuesday, January 19, 2021, By News Staff
  • Arts and Sciences Welcomes New Director of Forensics Kathleen Corrado
    Tuesday, January 19, 2021, By Dan Bernardi

More In Campus & Community

Funding Opportunities for Syracuse Abroad Summer 2021 programs

This summer, Syracuse Abroad is looking forward to bringing new life to study abroad programs after the Covid-19 pandemic setback. Summer 2021 is just around the corner, and Syracuse Abroad is ready to revitalize the spirit of summer study abroad…

Students Invited to Network and Skill-Build with Alumni

Aligning with professional development journeys and supporting students as they navigate their career trajectory past graduation is a dedicated team that encompasses Career Services, faculty, staff and alumni. Unwavering and alongside the Orange community this team has worked to continue…

University College Announces Online Degree in Computer Programming

University College announces a new online bachelor of professional studies program (BPS) in computer programming. The program was developed in response to employers seeking graduates who have the skills to meet the demands of the rapidly changing field of technology….

Stadium Testing Center Closed for Planned Enhancements Wednesday, Jan. 20

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community: Thank you for your ongoing participation in frequent COVID-19 testing. We want you to be aware, that due to previously planned enhancements at the Stadium Testing Center, the center will be closed on…

Important Information Regarding Proof of Eligibility for and Access to the COVID Vaccine

Dear Faculty, Instructors and Graduate Teaching Assistants: We are writing to provide you new information from the Onondaga County Health Department related to the COVID-19 vaccination distribution process. Eligibility Reminder At this time, per the New York State Department of…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2021 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.