[jimtorr]

I think it was the syphilis that made the Roman emperors psychopaths.

No, syphilis is native to the America's, and was unknown in Europe before Columbus and the Spanish accidentally 'discovered' it.

I think the other poster was being humorous.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

I am confused (obviously). Then I was thinking of smallpox where the Europeans introduced that small pox to the New World.

As I am typing this, I am now remembering that syphilis was the New World's payback to the Europeans for their smallpox gift. Can you verify this?

Thank you.

P.S. Then it was DDT that also did in the Romans.