This is the first study of food in classical antiquity that treats it as both a biological and a cultural phenomenon. The variables of food quantity, quality and availability, and the impact of disease, are evaluated and a judgement reached which inclines to pessimism. Food is also a symbol, evoking other basic human needs and desires, especially sex, and performing social and cultural roles which can be either integrative or divisive. The book explores food taboos in Greek, Roman, and Jewish society, and food-allocation within the family, as well as more familiar cultural and economic polarities which are highlighted by food and eating. The author draws on a wide range of evidence new and old, from written sources to human skeletal remains, and uses both comparative historical evidence from early modern and contemporary developing societies and the anthropological literature, to create a case-study of food in antiquity.
| ISBN: | 9780521645881 |
| Publication date: | 22nd April 1999 |
| Author: | Peter University of Cambridge Garnsey |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 192 pages |
| Series: | Key Themes in Ancient History |
| Genres: |
Ancient history General and world history Cookery, Food and Drink Anthropology Cultural studies |
This is the first study of food in classical antiquity that treats it as both a biological and a cultural phenomenon. The variables of food quantity, quality and availability, and the impact of disease, are evaluated and a judgement reached which inclines to pessimism. Food is also a symbol, evoking other basic human needs and desires, especially sex, and performing social and cultural roles which can be either integrative or divisive. The book explores food taboos in Greek, Roman, and Jewish society, and food-allocation within the family, as well as more familiar cultural and economic polarities which are highlighted by food and eating. The author draws on a wide range of evidence new and old, from written sources to human skeletal remains, and uses both comparative historical evidence from early modern and contemporary developing societies and the anthropological literature, to create a case-study of food in antiquity.
Food and Society in Classical Antiquity features in the following genres: Ancient history, General and world history, Cookery, Food and Drink, Anthropology, Cultural studies
Food and Society in Classical Antiquity is available in Hardback, Paperback
Food and Society in Classical Antiquity was written by Peter University of Cambridge Garnsey and published by Cambridge University Press
Food and Society in Classical Antiquity has 192 pages
Yes it is part of Key Themes in Ancient History series
£30.60