Taste Of Taboo: Dietary Choices In Antiquity, By Michael Beer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."Drawing parallels between the ancient and modern world is a perilous endeavour," warns Beer, but it is hard not to feel strong resonances in this study of classical pickiness. We learn that the young Nero, keen to forge a career on the stage, "tried to keep excessive flab at bay by repeated use of enemas".
The elevation of fish from "despised and marginal" to "symbol of luxury" also sounds familiar. Though vegetarianism was advocated by a few ancient moralists, "it is likely that thoughts about [it] never entered the minds of the majority."
Other aspects of consumption seem far from the modern world. Beer says it is "quite startling" that concern about alcohol was limited to its effect on the ruling elite. Equally odd is a taboo on beans.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments