This is a broad-based, comprehensive general study of food in antiquity. The book deals with food as food or nutrition, the discussion revolving around the concrete issues of food availability and the nutritional status of the population. It also treats the nonfood uses of food, focusing on the role of food in forming and marking the social hierarchy. Food defines the group, whether social, religious, philosophical or political.
Reviews
'... this is a survey of generous range and wide reference, drawing its emphases from the trends of modern research ... not only will this be an indispensable handbook for students; all ancient historians will learn from it.' Journal of Hellenic Studies '... it is intellectually challenging and the range is great: in short a delight.' Petits Propos Culinaires
