Detail of a Greek fresco representing an olive branch in temple of Paestum, Italy
From the elaborate banquets of ancient civilizations to the lavish soirées of the Renaissance, feasts have left an indelible mark on human culture and society. They reveal the culinary delights of their time and the social hierarchies, power dynamics, and cultural exchanges that have shaped our past.
Food historian Francine Segan uncovers the hidden layers of meaning behind the food, drink, and rituals that have defined such gatherings throughout the ages and spotlights the distinctive foods of royal tables in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In each session, participants receive a list of recipes for delicious dishes from across antiquity to make at home.
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Dinner with Alexander the Great
Segan, author of The Philosopher’s Kitchen, offers tantalizing tales about the foods and dining customs of ancient Greece, including philosophical writings on wine, health, and even dinner party seating. Explore the Greek food myths on everything from how Athens got its name to why Zeus punished honeybees. Besides learning the origins of traditions such as candles on a birthday cake, flower girls at weddings, throwing a pinch of salt over the shoulder, and what the first Olympic athletes ate, uncover the health secrets of Hippocrates, Plato, and Socrates and discover the ancient roots of many popular modern-day Greek delicacies.
Additional Sessions of Feasting with Royalty
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