Barbarian warriors got “high” on drugs before battles against the Romans

Soldiers wore small spoons on their military belts that scientists believe were used to dose stimulants.

According to a new, recently published in prehistoric magazine, ancient barbarian warriors may have used small ornate spoons to consume narcotics before entering combat against the Roman army.

With a purpose similar to that of modern stimulants, these utensils were probably designed to administer psychoactive substances such as opium, marijuana or hallucinogenic fungi, increasing the courage and energy of warriors.

The study analyzed 241 small spoons found in 116 archaeological sites in Scandinavia, Germany and Poland, dating back to the Roman period. Measuring between 40 and 70 millimeters long, these spoons were typically attached to men’s belts along with weapons and military equipment, suggesting they played a role in warfare. The researchers excluded alternative uses, such as medical purposes, based on the spoons’ unique size and design.

Barbarians, a term used to describe tribal cultures such as Germanic, Celtic, and Thracian groups beyond the borders of the Roman Empire, may have had access to a wide range of psychoactive substances. Although it is not known for certain which drugs were consumed, plants such as belladonna and the devil’s trumpetas well as magic mushrooms and ergot fungus, were available in Europe during this period, explains .

Poisonous henbane seeds, known to induce anger and consumed in Roman rituals, may also have been used, possibly influencing the henbane’s fearsome reputation. nordic berserkers.

Researchers propose that these narcotics helped barbarian warriors to overcome fear and maintain energy during battles. Spoons may have been designed to dispense precise doses, preventing accidental overdoses that could impair performance.

The findings underscore the potential role of drug use in ancient warfare, not just among barbarians but in several armies during the Roman era. The researchers suggest that the supply of these substances could have supported a significant commercial network, fueling lucrative drug markets to meet military demand.