De Observatione Ciborum: Early-Medieval Recipes at the Court of the Franks
By Anthimus
Translated by Marco Gavio de Rubeis
Historical Italian Cooking
ISBN: 9798770852158
What did people eat in the early Middle Ages? Or, more precisely, what were they advised to eat? This sixth-century text, presented here in an edited translation, offers dietary advice and recipes intended for a Frankish ruler.
Excerpt:
Collected in several manuscripts, a fact that shows its great popularity, De Observatione Ciborum is a letter about dietetics written by the Byzantine physician Anthimus to Theuderic, king of the Franks, in the 6th century. Differently from other books about the same topic, in particular the important work by Galen, De Facultatibus Alimentorum, this text focuses more on practical aspects and less on theoretical lectures, a fact that makes it both simple and difficult to read. Simple because the recommendations are clear and immediate; difficult because it requires the understanding of the basis upon which Anthimus’ dietetics is founded, with the necessity of reading other authors who provide the cultural foundation for the ideas of this physician.
Who is this book for?
Those interested in food and cooking in the Middle Ages have relatively few surviving texts to work with, making this publication particularly valuable. It features a treatise written by the Byzantine physician Anthimus for the Merovingian ruler Theuderic I (511–534). The book presents the original text and a translation of De Observatione Ciborum (On the Observance of Foods), along with an extensive introduction examining the various foods discussed in the treatise. Whether you are researching medieval food or hoping to try some early medieval recipes yourself, this book will be a useful addition to your collection.
Marco Gavio de Rubeis is the person behind Historical Italian Cooking / Cucina Italiana Storica, an excellent online resource about ancient and medieval cooking. They have a website, Patreon and YouTube channel, and have published several other books, including Registrum Coquine: A Medieval Cookbook.
De Observatione Ciborum: Early-Medieval Recipes at the Court of the Franks
By Anthimus
Translated by Marco Gavio de Rubeis
Historical Italian Cooking
ISBN: 9798770852158
What did people eat in the early Middle Ages? Or, more precisely, what were they advised to eat? This sixth-century text, presented here in an edited translation, offers dietary advice and recipes intended for a Frankish ruler.
Excerpt:
Collected in several manuscripts, a fact that shows its great popularity, De Observatione Ciborum is a letter about dietetics written by the Byzantine physician Anthimus to Theuderic, king of the Franks, in the 6th century. Differently from other books about the same topic, in particular the important work by Galen, De Facultatibus Alimentorum, this text focuses more on practical aspects and less on theoretical lectures, a fact that makes it both simple and difficult to read. Simple because the recommendations are clear and immediate; difficult because it requires the understanding of the basis upon which Anthimus’ dietetics is founded, with the necessity of reading other authors who provide the cultural foundation for the ideas of this physician.
Who is this book for?
Those interested in food and cooking in the Middle Ages have relatively few surviving texts to work with, making this publication particularly valuable. It features a treatise written by the Byzantine physician Anthimus for the Merovingian ruler Theuderic I (511–534). The book presents the original text and a translation of De Observatione Ciborum (On the Observance of Foods), along with an extensive introduction examining the various foods discussed in the treatise. Whether you are researching medieval food or hoping to try some early medieval recipes yourself, this book will be a useful addition to your collection.
Learn more about the text in Eat Like a Medieval King: Dietary Advice to Theuderic I
The Editor
Marco Gavio de Rubeis is the person behind Historical Italian Cooking / Cucina Italiana Storica, an excellent online resource about ancient and medieval cooking. They have a website, Patreon and YouTube channel, and have published several other books, including Registrum Coquine: A Medieval Cookbook.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website.
You can buy this book on Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
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