The rules of drug taking: wine and poppy derivatives in the ancient world. V. Sobriety or postponement of drunkenness?
In spite of declared intentions to maintain control of drinking, we have cues that during the symposium enough wine was ingested to get intoxicated. Hence, it was widely debated how much wine could be safety drunk, and the conclusion was that it was a matter of individual endurance. Apparently, elders were less prone to wine-induced loss of rationality and control. In conclusion, the Ancients were aware of potential dangers of wine and that its consumption needed rules, but apparently these rules existed for being broken.
Nencini
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Institute of Medical Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000266:history*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000266:history*; D000076145:Greece, Ancient; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D013695:Temperance / Q000266:history; D014920:Wine / Q000266:history*