Farm to Table: Foodways and Gastro-Politics in the Ancient World

This course provides an introduction to the culture, economy, and politics of food in the ancient world. We will not only investigate the day-to-day of food production, consumption, and disposal; we will also develop an appreciation for changing food fashions, for the etiquette of eating and drinking, and for the complex world of gastro-politics. Through case studies, we will explore topics such as subsistence and diet, feasting, food security, power, race and ethnicity, and gender. We will even explore the ancient kitchen using our own hands, mouths, and stomachs as a guide.