Discussions concerning ancient Roman conspicuous consumption are normally related to extravagant preparation of dishes or consumption of exotic foodstuffs. This paper argues that serving and eating... Show moreDiscussions concerning ancient Roman conspicuous consumption are normally related to extravagant preparation of dishes or consumption of exotic foodstuffs. This paper argues that serving and eating fattened animals was a more suitable mode of conspicuous consumption for the Roman elite of the early Principate than has been previously argued. The sources suggest that consumption of fattened animals could be a way to achieve a sought-after balance between norms and values relating to moderation, refined luxury, and extravagance. Why? Fattening expressed notions of control of nature and was connected with consumption of local foods. As such, consumption of fattened animals articulated aspects of the sense of cultural identity that is referred to as Romanitas. Appreciation of these features contributes to our understanding of popularity of consuming fattened animals among the Roman elite. Show less
This dissertation compares divination in ancient Greece to divinatory practices in Republican Rome and Neo-Assyrian Mesopotamia. Divination is the human production and interpretation of signs which... Show moreThis dissertation compares divination in ancient Greece to divinatory practices in Republican Rome and Neo-Assyrian Mesopotamia. Divination is the human production and interpretation of signs which were thought to have come from the supernatural – the signs could be concerned with past, present or future. The process of divination consists of three elements: homo divinans, sign and text. These three elements are systematically compared, after which divination is discussed in its relation to time and uncertainty.********************************************************************************Commercial edition available at Brill Publishers, ISBN 978-90-04-25239-4 (hbk) ; 978-90-04-46422-3 (pbk); 978-90-04-25630-9 (e-book)https://brill.com/view/title/24193 Show less
