VMs: LECTURE ON PSYCHO-ACTIVE DRUGS IN CLASSICAL GREECE- May 14, 2003

[Nick Pelling <incoming@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Athena Contested: Psycho-active Substances in Classical Greece," an
illustrated presentation by Dr. Alain Touwaide, Research Associate,
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History.

Classical Greece - especially the culture of Athens - made rationality a 
principle of self-identification, best represented by the city's goddess, 
Athena. Recent anthropological research has suggested, however, that 
Classical Greek culture also included non-rational components - among 
others the use of natural psycho-active products such as ergot, deadly 
nightshade and poppy. But, apart from some archaeological remains of 
contested interpretation, evidence is lacking. This talk will examine the 
topic and bring to light overlooked textual material. This new evidence 
will make the question of irrationality in Antiquity more complex, since 
textual data will show evidence of a good knowledge of psycho-activity.

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at 12 Noon, at the 
DEA Museum, Arlington, VA. Attendance is free of charge and reservations 
are not required. While there, please don't forget to visit the two 
exhibitions currently on view at the Museum: "Target America: Traffickers, 
Terrorists & You,"  and "Illegal Drugs in America: A Modern History".

The DEA Museum
700 Army Navy Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 202-307-3463
Visit the website at http://www.deamuseum.org


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