Ancient Roman Feasts and Recipes Adapted for Modern Cooking; De Epulis Et Arte Coquinaria Romanorum Antiquorum Explicationem Atque Accomodationem... [Hardcover]

Jon Solomon (Author), Julia Solomon (Author, Illustrator)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: E. A. Seemann Publishing (October 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0912458992
• ISBN-13: 978-0912458991
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,191,012 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Witty & Rewarding, June 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ancient Roman Feasts and Recipes Adapted for Modern Cooking; De Epulis Et Arte Coquinaria Romanorum Antiquorum Explicationem Atque Accomodationem... (Hardcover)

This book is a feast of witty stories culled from mostly first century sources about the dining customs of the Caesars and those they ruled, followed by a hundred or so pages of tasty recipes - including several in the original Latin - all dug out of the prose and poetry of the time and many attributed to persons who would be known to any first year Latin scholar. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and the recipes are easy, authentic, and delicious. I borrowed this book from the library at St. Anselm's Abbey, and all 10 of the dishes I prepared for my daughter's 8th grade Latin class using it were devoured voraciously.

I was impressed by the level of scholarship involved in finding and testing all the recipies, and I appreciated the detailed source list, which gives recipe by recipe citations. The practical hints for modern readers and encouragement to use authentic ingredients rather that substitute were also great. Best of all were the cultural and historical stories used to introduce many of the recipes. One tidbit: did you know that Ancient Romans thought lettuce was indigestible, and so they pounded their romaine to a pulp before making their salads?

I just have to have a copy of this cookbook for my home library, and I highly recommend it for any student of Ancient Rome or as a present for a beloved Latin teacher. Lastly, the author is right. The Stuffed Dates with Honey are addictive!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos to Prof. Jon Solomon, June 13, 2006

By 

B. Lapadat "boo-radley" (twincities,mn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Roman Feasts and Recipes Adapted for Modern Cooking; De Epulis Et Arte Coquinaria Romanorum Antiquorum Explicationem Atque Accomodationem... (Hardcover)

I was lucky enough to have Professor Solomon for Greek Mythology and "Greek Myth II" (it had a much longer name in the course catalogue, but this is what Dr. Solomon called the course)in the early 1980's. Dr. Solomon was one of the most well-liked professors at the University of Minnesota both for his sense of humor and his ability to tell stories that bring the Ancients back to life. His classes were always full. I believe he is now at Illinois, via Arizona. He was a great guy, terrific storyteller, compassionate professor, and I would not hesitate to recommend any book by him.