1st Edition

The Barbarian's Beverage A History of Beer in Ancient Europe

By Max Nelson Copyright 2005
    224 Pages 16 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Comprehensive and detailed, this is the first ever study of ancient beer and its distilling, consumption and characteristics

    Examining evidence from Greek and Latin authors from 700 BC to AD 900, the book demonstrates the important technological as well as ideological contributions the Europeans made to beer throughout the ages.

    The study is supported by textual and archaeological evidence and gives a fresh and fascinating insight into an aspect of ancient life that has fed through to modern society and which stands today as one of the world’s most popular beverages.

    Students of ancient history, classical studies and the history of food and drink will find this an useful and enjoyable read.

    List of illustrations  Preface  1. Introduction  2. Beer in the East and West  3. The Greek Prejudice against Beer  4. The Two Drinking Ideologies of Ancient Europe  5. The Celts and the Great Beer Decline  6. The Roman Empire and the Rule of Wine  7. Germanic Europe and the Great Beer Revival  8. Conclusion  Notes  Bibliography  Index

    Biography

    Max Nelson is assistant professor of Classics at the University of Windsor in Canada.

    'Thoroughly researched ... readable ... a very useful addition to the growing library of works.' - Journal of Classics Teaching