Aqua Tofana: The Undetectable Poison of 17th Century Italy

In 17th-century Italy, a colorless, odorless poison called Aqua Tofana spread silently. Made and sold primarily by women, it was often used to murder husbands for inheritance. While its inventors were executed, the formula persisted, leading to hundreds of deaths. Though its true potency is debated, the legend of Aqua Tofana profoundly impacted European society, fueling fears of secret murder and sparking numerous poisoning scandals. The story highlights the enduring power of myth and the anxieties surrounding clandestine poisoning in early modern Europe.