Flavours of Byzantium (None) [Hardcover]

Andrew Dalby (Author)

Book Description

Series: None | Publication Date: August 1, 2003

This is a study of the food that was eaten at the court of the Eastern Roman Empire at Constantinople in the Middle Ages. For centuries it has tempted and fascinated the West, yet very little has been written in English about the foods they ate or the recipes they cooked from. Dalby gives an entertaining account of the dining customs of the Emperors as witnessed by the Greeks and by foreign visitors. He tells of the medical theories that underlay their diet; of their opinions of the raw materials available; and stretches in a calendar of the seasons and how they affected the food on the table. This is underpinned by new translations from the Greek of important medieval treatises on diet, flavors, raw materials and cookery. Andrew Dalby is a classical scholar, food historian and student of languages.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andrew Dalby is a classical scholar, food historian and student of languages.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Prospect Books (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903018145
• ISBN-13: 978-1903018149
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,719,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply delicious!, January 20, 2007

By 

Ryan Kelton "wannabe changeling" (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flavours of Byzantium (None) (Hardcover)

It was quite a treat when I discovered this book. There are many, many books detailing the gastronomy of ancient Romans and Greeks, but what of their inheritor? As far as I can tell, this is the only book on the food and dining habits of the medieval Byzantines. And it is more fortunate, then, that Andrew Dalby has written a fantastic one! His prose his light and engaging, giving out plenty of information without being burdensome. He also is so kind as to reproduce several Byzantine dietary works, including a dietary calendar.

All in all, an important addition to any Byzantophile's library.

3.0 out of 5 stars Tastes of Byzantium & Flavors Of Byzantium: Same Book!, July 22, 2011

By 

Bookaholic "Bookaholic" (Princeton, NJ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flavours of Byzantium (None) (Hardcover)

Don't buy these books from AMAZON as a value purchase. They are exactly the same except published by two different companies and one is paperback. I sent back the "flavors" hard copy. Book gives insight how people ate in Byzantium. Cycles of eating appropriately, "...don't eat black grapes in July." Compilation of letters and research revealing life in the courts, travel, eating and drinking. For those who are interested in the nitty gritty of daily life during this time period and translating name/meanings of food items.