"Food & Feasting in the Ancient World"

Previous participation and previous knowledge not required.

Week 1 Introduction: How and Why Should We Study Food?

This reading group explores food and feasting in the ancient Near East, focusing particularly on the social aspects of food preparation and consumption.

We will examine a variety of ancient sources, including paintings of feasts, seal impressions depicting banquet scenes, wooden models of bakers and beer brewers, economic documents, instruction and wisdom texts describing table manners, literary accounts of feasting, the world’s earliest recipes, and even a cure for a hangover. We will also address how scholars have used archaeological evidence such as animal bones, plant remains, and ceramics to identify and reconstruct ancient feasting practices.

Participants only need to register for each SASA Reading Group once. Once you RSVP you will receive a Confirmation Email, where you will find a link to the Live Syllabus for the Reading Group; with Zoom Meeting links, reading links, info on your Educational Ambassadors, and more!

Length: 8-weeks

Day/Time: Tuesdays @ 2pm EDT 

Starting: June 29th 

Ending: August 3rd 

SASA Reading Group Certificates are available upon request after completion of the 8-week Reading Group for those who participated in 6 or more sessions.

If you did not receive an email after RSVPing, please check your spam folder for a confirmation email with links and info.