The Loaded Table: Representations of Food in Roman Literature - Softcover

Gowers, Emily

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198150822 ISBN 13: 9780198150824

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1997

Synopsis

This book offers a novel approach to Roman culture, looking at food as it is represented in literature. Although not generally thought of as the noblest of literary subjects, this view is a legacy from the Romans, so it is curious that Roman writers chose so persistently to depict their society at the dinner table. Why this was so, and what effect the inclusion of food had on the status of the literary texts that contained it, are among the questions discussed here. The book also addresses many of the problems that arise when a material subject is translated into words, and contains fresh interpretations of Latin texts that have been unjustly undervalued--comedy, satire, epigrams, letters, and iambics. While often regarded as something trivial, food was in fact one of the most suggestive images for Roman civilization.

About this title

From the Back Cover

This book offers a novel and unconventional approach to Roman culture through food as it is represented in literature. Although food is not generally thought of as the noblest of literary subjects--and this view is a legacy from the Romans--it is curious that Roman writers chose so persistently to depict their society at the dinner-table. Why this was so, and what effect the inclusion of food has on the status of the literary texts that contained it, are among the questions discussed.

About the Author

Emily Gowers is at University College, London.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0198150822
• ISBN 13: 9780198150824
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 346