Student Scholars Day

Debating the Role of Women in Ancient Greek Cuisine: Conflicting Evidence from Art and Literature

Kirkhof Center 2270

Reconstruction of the role of women in the ancient Greek cuisine system is complex due to conflicting information provided by different forms of evidence (e.g., literary texts and material culture). Based on an integrated analysis of both literary and pictorial data, this project suggests new interpretations of the roles women played in the ancient Greek cuisine system. First, explanations of the interpretive "gap" between the two forms of evidence are considered. A discussion follows of the role of the cuisine phase model in integration of the disparate forms of evidence, and in the development of a more nuanced understanding of gender roles in the construction of Greek cuisine. Issues such as the gendered use of space in cuisine-related contexts, both public and private, are considered. Social rank played an important role in cuisine construction, for example, with women of elite rank interacting frequently with men in public dining contexts as demonstrations of status and power.