Roman-Era Barbarians Used Stimulants in Battle, Study Finds
Archaeologists have discovered that barbarian warriors during Roman times may have used herbal stimulants to enhance their performance in battle. Small spoon-shaped objects found in graves across Scandinavia, Germany, and Poland suggest these were used to dose narcotics like opium, belladonna, and ergot fungus. These substances could have provided the necessary stimulation and stress relief for warriors, indicating a sophisticated narcotic economy existed to supply troops. The study highlights the historical use of drugs in military contexts, similar to more recent examples.