The ancient Greeks are celebrated for their contributions to various fields such as philosophy, mathematics, and medicine. Among their many inquiries into the natural world is the discovery and use of mercury, or quicksilver.
While the exact timeline of their discovery is obscure, mercury is a dominant element in ancient Greek philosophy, natural philosophy and medicine.
The Discovery of Mercury
Mercury, known in antiquity as hydrargyrum or quicksilver (from the Greek words "hydr-" meaning water and "argyros" meaning silver), is recognized by ancients for its unique properties.
Quicksilver doesn't receive the name mercury until c. 7th century AD. The metal mercury is named for the planet. Greek philosopher and scientist Empedocles (c. 495–435 BCE) is one of the first to describe properties of mercury. Then he jumps into Mount Etna.
By the time of Aristotle (384–322 BCE) and Theophrastus (c. 371–287 BCE), mercury has become more widely acknowledged. Theophrastus, in his work "On Stones," provides insights into a variety of minerals, including those containing mercury.
Ancient Uses of Mercury
The Greeks observe mercury's silvery liquid form, its unique ability to amalgamate with other metals, and its high density. The amalgamation characteristic leads to an early form of mercury metallurgy, allowing them to create various gold and silver alloys.
Mercury is instrumental in mining processes, particularly extraction of gold and silver from ores. Amalgamation involves mixing crushed ore with mercury to separate precious metals, a technique persisting through the ages. Many perish due to mercury greed.
In medicine, mercury finds a growing niche. In the Hippocratic Corpus and later Greco-Roman texts, references are made to using mercury to treat various ailments. The Greeks ascribe it therapeutic properties, including as treatment for skin diseases and syphilis.
The toxic effects of mercury are not fully understood at the time. The ancient Romans know the effects of mercury toxicity when they staff their mines at Almadén, Spain with convicts and slaves. According to Roman authorities, death by mercury poisoning is a type of divine justice.
Some symptoms of mercury poisoning include:
Shaking
Loss of peripheral vision
"Pins and needles" feelings, especially hands, feet, around mouth
Lack of coordination
Mental confusion
Speech, hearing or mobility impairment
Muscle weakness
Spasms, seizures, convulsions
Death
Poisoning comes from handling or ingesting mercury. Mercury fumes are invisible; mercury evaporates at room temperature. Poisoning causes are often industrial. Pescatarians can get it from mercury levels in fish. Shark and orange roughy are higher in mercury and salmon is low.
Alchemical Significance
As time progresses into the Hellenistic period, the Greeks’ fascination with mercury deepens, particularly through the influence of alchemy. Alchemists explore the symbolic and mystical properties of mercury, often associated with transformation and change.
It represents the fluidity of the material world and potential for transition from one form to another. The alchemical texts of figures like Zosimos of Panopolis (c. 300 AD) discuss mercury as a fundamental component in the quest for the so-called Philosopher's Stone.
Mercury’s unique properties make it a central substance in early Alexandrian alchemy and later medieval and Renaissance traditions. The spirit of Mercury, known through medieval times, visits psychoanalyst Carl Jung as Mercurius in later alchemy.
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