Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
09:26
Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication
Published on: February 6, 2019
Alexander the Great's relationship with alcohol
J A Liappas1, J Lascaratos, S Fafouti
1Department of Psychiatry, Athens National University, Athens, Greece.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|May 20, 2003
Summary
Alexander the Great drank heavily, experiencing pathological intoxication. However, historical evidence does not confirm alcohol abuse or dependence, making it unlikely alcohol caused his death.
Area of Science:
- Historical analysis
- Ancient history
- Medical humanities
Background:
- Examining historical accounts of Alexander the Great's life and death.
- Evaluating wine consumption patterns among Macedonians and Alexander.
- Utilizing primary sources including the 'Royal Journals' and later historical texts.
Discussion:
- Assessing Alexander's periodic heavy, undiluted wine consumption.
- Analyzing historical data against modern diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence (DSM-IV, ICD-10).
- Investigating the potential role of alcohol in Alexander's demise.
Key Insights:
- Alexander the Great engaged in periods of excessive, undiluted wine consumption, leading to pathological intoxication.
- Current historical data lacks definitive proof of alcohol abuse or dependence in Alexander.
- Alcohol is unlikely to have been a direct cause of Alexander's death.
Outlook:
- Further interdisciplinary research could explore ancient drinking practices and their health impacts.
- Comparative studies of historical figures and substance use may offer new insights.
- Continued critical analysis of historical texts is essential for understanding ancient behaviors.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:36Acidity and Basicity of Alcohols and Phenols
Like water, alcohols are weak acids and bases. This is attributed to the polarization of the O–H bond making the hydrogen partially positive. Moreover, the electron pairs on the oxygen atom of alcohol make it both basic and nucleophilic. Protonation of an alcohol converts hydroxide, a poor leaving group, into water—a good one. The two acid–base equilibria corresponding to ethanol are depicted below.
02:15Preparation of Alcohols via Addition Reactions
Overview
The acid-catalyzed addition of water to the double bond of alkenes is a large-scale industrial method used to synthesize low-molecular-weight alcohols. An acidic atmosphere is required to allow the hydrogen in the water molecule to act as an electrophile and attack the double bond in an alkene. The addition of a proton to the double bond creates a carbocation intermediate. The proton preferentially bonds to the less substituted end of the double bond to create a more stable carbocation...
The acid-catalyzed addition of water to the double bond of alkenes is a large-scale industrial method used to synthesize low-molecular-weight alcohols. An acidic atmosphere is required to allow the hydrogen in the water molecule to act as an electrophile and attack the double bond in an alkene. The addition of a proton to the double bond creates a carbocation intermediate. The proton preferentially bonds to the less substituted end of the double bond to create a more stable carbocation...
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
01:28Depressants
Depressant drugs, including alcohol and sedative-hypnotics, diminish central nervous system activity by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and promotes relaxation. These substances can have various therapeutic uses but also pose significant risks, especially when misused or combined.
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
01:25Microbes in Beverage Production
Alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and spirits are the products of microbial fermentation processes that transform simple sugars into ethanol and a wide array of complex flavor compounds. These transformations rely on the metabolic activities of specific yeasts and bacteria, which are selected and controlled to yield the desired beverage characteristics.Wine Fermentation and MaturationWine production begins with the crushing of grapes to release juice and pulp, forming a must that is...
01:27Production of Alcohol
Continuous fermentation is a key strategy in industrial ethanol production, particularly when efficiency, scalability, and high yields are essential. This approach allows for uninterrupted operation and optimized resource utilization. The primary feedstock, corn starch, undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis facilitated by α-amylase and glucoamylase. These enzymes break down the starch into fermentable sugars such as glucose, which are readily assimilated by fermentative microorganisms.Fermentation...