The powerful toxicity of hellebores was used to the advantage of the Ancient Greeks at the ‘Seige of Kirrha’ in 585 BC in what is an early example of chemical warfare. The invading Greek army used the crushed leaves of hellebores to contaminate the water supply to the city. The unfortunate inhabitants of Kirrha drank the poisoned water and were overcome by diarrhoea, at which point the Greeks over ran the city – whilst the locals were still running to the loo.
It is also alleged Alexander the Great died after an overdose of hellebore in his drinking cup administered by an enemy who had infiltrated his personal staff.