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user-inactivated · 3297 days ago · link · · parent · post: Ice Cap Shows Ancient Mines Polluted the Globe [1997]
I wish I knew that. There is a vaguely conspiratorial theory of Rome's fall which hinges on lead poisoning. Of course, they would not have been remotely aware of it as it happened. My guess -- based solely on the assumption that since I have studied a lot of the notable Roman writers, I would have encountered a case of their writings (Cicero e.g.) rapidly declining in quality as they aged if it existed -- is no. Hie thee to r/askhistorians, perhaps. Might be hard to separate the symptoms from those of other root causes. You seem new, so here's another entry in the hubski canon regarding unknown illnesses with obvious causes.