“ And Melomeli, which also is called Cydonomeli (quince honey) is made as follows. The quinces with their seeds removed, are put into good store of honey, so that they are covered. This becomes good after a year, being…
The Justinianic plague
On 541 AD a plague broke out in the Byzantine empire. According to the Byzantine historian Procopius, the best primary source of the period, the epidemic appears to have begun around the port of Pelusion, near Suez in Egypt. ”Then it divided…
Ancient Greek Words for Love: Eros, Himeros, Pothos, Philia.
Philia (deep friendship) : Its objects range from people to drink, food e.g. dried figs (Aristophanes, Peace, 634) and concepts such as peace. It is the most general word for love and friendship. Pothos is ‘an intense nostalgic longing for someone…
Christmas dinner at the Great Palace
Among the numerous foreigners who recorded their impressions of the Byzantine court Liutprand of Cremona, ambassador of Berengar of Italy in 949–50, provides descriptions of court ceremonies and a glowing account of the Christmas dinner he enjoyed at the Great Palace. Christmas…
Pagophagia, geophagia or eating unusual foods
Pagophagia* is a disorder that encompasses daily craving and eating of ice, snow or iced water. The Byzantine Emperor Theophilus (829-842 AD) died from dysentery, the possible cause of which may be connected to Theophilus’ pagophagia, in order to relieve the symptoms…