Roman Food+agg Flashcards
What was considered the choicest of all domestic meals in Ancient Rome?
Pork
What are the Latin terms for pork-related animals?
- sus
- porcus
- verres
- aper
- scrofa
- maialis
- nefrens
What is ‘exta’ in the context of Roman banquets?
Flesh furnished for banquets
Which organs were typically reserved for the priest during Roman sacrifices?
- Heart
- Liver
- Lungs
What was a great delicacy in Ancient Rome?
Dormouse (glis/nitedula)
What is the Latin term for fish?
Piscis
What types of seafood were commonly consumed in Ancient Rome? List at least three.
- Tyrotarichus (salt fish)
- Mullus (mullet fish)
- Ostreae (oysters)
What is ‘garum’?
Fish sauce made from sturgeon or mackerel
How was ‘garum’ prepared?
Fish is slightly cooked in sea water and allowed to ferment for several months
What is ‘muria’?
Fish sauce from tunny-fish or any kind of brine
What does ‘allex’ refer to in Roman cuisine?
Residue from the making of fish sauce or cheap homemade fish sauce
What is the Latin term for a mill used in the preparation of olive oil?
Mola
What is a more elaborate type of mill called in Latin?
Trapētum
What are the components of a mill referred to as ‘meta’ and ‘catillus’?
- Meta: lower millstone
- Catillus: upper millstone
What is the term for the press used to make olives?
torcular/preculum
The torcular or preculum is the device used for extracting oil from olives.
What is amurca?
Dark and bitter liquid composed of impurities removed from olive pressing
Amurca is often used as fertilizer.
What type of olive oil is obtained from the first pressing?
Olive oil used for cosmetics
The first pressing yields the highest quality oil.
What type of olive oil is obtained from the second pressing?
Olive oil used for cooking
The second pressing is suitable for culinary uses.
What type of olive oil is obtained from the third pressing?
Olive oil used as fuel for lamps
The third pressing produces oil of lesser quality.
What does oleum (olivum) refer to?
Olive oil
Oleum is the Latin term for olive oil.
What is epityrum?
Preparation of the olive
The process includes several steps for preparing olives for consumption.
List the steps involved in the preparation of epityrum.
- Removal of stones
- Chopping of the pulp
- Seasoning with vinegar, coriander seeds, cumin, fennel, mint
These steps enhance the flavor and make olives more palatable.
What does the term ‘panes’ refer to?
Circular loaves of bread
‘Panes’ is the Latin word for bread.
What is panis siligneus?
Best bread made of pure wheat flour
This type of bread is considered high quality.
What is panis plebeius?
Common bread made of coarse flour and/or bran
This bread was typically consumed by the lower classes.
What is panis castrensis?
Army bread
This bread was made for soldiers and was often more durable.
What is panis sordidus?
Dark bread
This type of bread is made from less refined flour.
What is panis rusticus?
Country bread
This bread is typically made using local ingredients.
What are herbae pulmentariae?
Pot-herbs
These are vegetables commonly grown in gardens.
What is lactuca?
Lettuce
Lactuca is a common leafy vegetable.
What is brassica?
Cabbage
Brassica is a genus of plants that includes many vegetables.
What is porrum?
Leek
Porrum is a type of vegetable related to onions.
What is the Latin term for barley?
hordeum
Barley is a widely cultivated cereal grain.
What does ‘caepa’ refer to in Latin?
onion
Onions are a common vegetable used in cooking.
What is the Latin term for carrot?
pastinaca
Carrots are root vegetables, often orange in color.
What does ‘radix’ or ‘rapa’ mean?
turnip
Turnips are a root vegetable, typically white or yellow.
What is the Latin term for asparagus or artichoke?
cardus
Cardus can refer to both asparagus and artichokes.
What does ‘fabae’ refer to?
beans
Beans are seeds from various plants, widely consumed.
What is the Latin word for pea?
pisum
Peas are small, round green seeds that are edible.
What does ‘cicer’ mean in Latin?
chickpea
Chickpeas are legumes, known for their nutty taste.
What is the Latin term for cucumber?
cucumis
Cucumbers are a refreshing vegetable often used in salads.
What does ‘mēlo’ refer to?
melon
Melons are sweet, fleshy fruits often enjoyed in summer.
What is the Latin term for birds?
avēs
Avēs refers to various species of birds.
What does ‘lagopus’ refer to?
white grouse
White grouse are a type of bird commonly found in northern regions.
What is the Latin term for snipe?
scolopax
Snipe are wading birds known for their long bills.
What does ‘attagen lönicus’ refer to?
woodcock
Woodcocks are wading birds known for their camouflaged plumage.
What is the Latin term for thrush?
turdus
Thrushes are known for their melodic songs.
What does ‘perdix’ mean?
partridge
Partridges are ground-dwelling birds often found in fields.
What is the Latin term for ortolan?
miliaria
Ortolans are small songbirds considered a delicacy.
What is the Latin word for pheasant?
phasianus
Pheasants are colorful birds often hunted for sport.
What does ‘grüs’ or ‘gruis’ refer to?
crane
Cranes are large, long-legged birds known for their dancing displays.
What is the Latin term for peacock?
pavo
Peacocks are known for their striking plumage and tail feathers.
What does ‘puls’ mean?
porridge
Porridge is a dish made by boiling grains in milk or water.
Fill in the blank: Porridge eaters are referred to as _______.
pultiphagonidae
This term comes from a reference by Plautus.
What is the Latin term for drinks?
potus
Potus refers to various beverages.
What does ‘aqua’ mean?
water
Aqua is the Latin word for water, essential for life.
What is the Latin word for grape juice?
mustum
Mustum is used to ferment into wine.
What does ‘dolium’ refer to?
vat-like jar used to ferment mustum into wine
Dolia were essential in ancient winemaking.
What is the term for the cell used for fermenting wine?
vanaria cella
This cell was used to keep jars uncovered for fermentation.
What does ‘vinum’ mean?
wine
Vinum is the Latin word for wine, a fermented beverage.
What is the Latin term for vinegar?
acetum
Acetum is produced through the fermentation of wine.
True or False: ‘vappa’ refers to high-quality wine.
False
Vappa refers to tasteless wine or vinegar.
What is the Latin term for wine?
vinum
Vinum refers specifically to wine in Latin.
What is the Latin term for vinegar?
acetum
Acetum is the term used for vinegar in Latin.
What does the term ‘vappa’ refer to?
tasteless wine/vinegar
Vappa describes a low-quality or tasteless wine or vinegar.
What is ‘mulsum’?
honeyed wine (four parts wine, one part honey)
Mulsum is a mixture of wine and honey, commonly consumed in ancient times.
What is the composition of ‘mulsa’?
one part honey, two parts water
Mulsa is a honeyed water drink, distinct from mulsum.
What are ‘sapa’, ‘defrutum’, and ‘defritum’ collectively known as?
grape jelly/juice, new wine
These terms refer to early forms of grape products in ancient Roman cuisine.
What is ‘posca’?
watered down vinegar
Posca was a popular drink among Roman soldiers and lower classes.
What is the Latin term for breakfast?
ientaculum
Ientaculum refers to the first meal of the day in ancient Rome.
What does ‘meridiatio’ refer to?
midday siesta
Meridiatio indicates a period of rest taken after lunch.
What is ‘prandium’?
lunch
Prandium is the term for the midday meal in Roman culture.
What is the Latin term for dinner?
cena
Cena refers to the main evening meal in ancient Rome.
What are ‘gustatio’, ‘promulsis’, ‘gustus’, and ‘antecena’ collectively known as?
appetizer
These terms describe various forms of appetizers served before the main meal.
What is ‘fercula’?
main course
Fercula refers to the main dish served during a meal.
What does ‘secunda mensa’ refer to?
dessert
Secunda mensa is the term for the second course, typically dessert.
What is ‘merenda’ or ‘vesperna’?
supper
These terms refer to the evening meal or supper in Roman dining customs.
What does ‘convivium’ mean?
banquet/drinking party
Convivium indicates a festive gathering centered around food and drink.
What is ‘comissatio’ or ‘compotatio’?
drinking party
These terms refer to a social event focused on drinking.
What does ‘symposium’ mean in Greek?
a drinking together
Symposium signifies a gathering for the purpose of drinking and discussing.
What is ‘convivium tempestivum’?
early & long banquet (began before the 9th hour)
This term describes a type of banquet that starts early in the day.
What is the first rule of Cato’s rule of farming?
Plough well
What is the second rule of Cato’s rule of farming?
Plough well
What is the third rule of Cato’s rule of farming?
Manure well
According to Cato the Elder, what is the most important crop?
Vineyard
List the crops in order of importance according to Cato the Elder.
- Vineyard
- Vegetable garden
- Willow copse
- Olive grove
- Meadow
- Grain fields
- Wood lot
- Orchard
- Oak grove
What is a xystus?
Personal garden (with flowers - roses, lilies, and violets)
What is a hippodromus?
Garden for driving or riding
What is a gestationes?
Gardens for walking or being carried in a lectica
