The nexus of food and diplomacy was a common theme in early modern diplomatic advice literature. The importance of the culinary diplomacy is especially evident in Venice’s mission in the Ottoman capital. ”Marino Cavalli, one of Venice’s most accomplished sixteenth-century ambassadors,…
…and sleep came over him
The Fates covered him with honey and ashes… Lullaby by Thodoros Gonis Beehive used as child’s tomb. Museum of Kissamos, Crete. *The title comes from Theocritus’ 24th Idyll. It is about Alcmene’s lullaby to her twins…
Foods associated with the feast of Annunciation in Byzantine monasteries
Monastery of Vatopedi. The dining room. (Photo credit: http://www.orthodoxos.com.gr/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=1884#p7510) ” The feast of the Annunciation on March 25 was bound to occur sometime during the Lenten fast, sometimes even during Holy Week, leading many of our authors to make special dietary…
A snake on your pie
Greek Christmas breads and New Year pies have often impressive decorations such as serpentine figures made of dough. The serpent is a survival of the doctrine for the oikouros ofis*, the ancient home-protecting serpent, which believed to be an incarnation…
Byzantine dreams and white bread.
….Getting or eating or merely seeing a loaf of white bread signifies harshness and strife for any dreamer.….If someone dreams of eating white bread he will get profit sufficient for life’s sustenance. But if the bread is hot, he will…