Beef in Roman Italy

doi:10.1017/S1047759400074018

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Beef in Roman Italy

Published Nov 15, 2017 · Mamoru Ikeguchi

Journal of Roman Archaeology

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3

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0

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the production and consumption of meat from domesticated animals in Roman Italy using zooarchaeological and textual evidence. The focus is on the proportions of meat from the three main domesticates (cattle, pig, sheep/goat) and their chronological changes. The most important livestock meat eaten by Romans is traditionally considered to have been pork. Certainly there is much more literary evidence for pork than for beef or mutton/goat meat. Such apparent Roman preference for pork is typically seen in Apicius' De re coquinaria, where the preference for pork (11 references) over mutton (2), goat meat (1) and beef (2) is obvious; likewise, the number of references to meat from young animals is much larger for suckling pig meat (22 references) than for lamb (10), kid meat (7) or veal (4). K. D. White considered that “meat was not a prime article of diet … and beef was less important within this restricted range than pork …”. J. M. Frayn believed sheep were reared primarily for wool, not for meat or cheese, and that lamb was eaten only exceptionally. Beef and mutton/goat meat are thus considered to have been of much less importance than pork in the Roman diet.

Study Snapshot

Key takeawayPork was the most important livestock meat in Roman Italy, with beef and mutton/goat meat being of less importance than pork in the Roman diet.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

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References

Forum iulium : l'area del foro di cesare alla luce delle campagne di scavo 2005-2008 : Le fasi arcaica, repubblicana e cesariano-augustea

This book explores the Roman Forum from the Archaic period (6th century B.C.) to the time of Augustus, uncovering rich houses and landscapes from the Archaic, Repubblican, and Caesarian periods.

Citations

Finding the Social Life of Rural Non-Elites in Roman Italy

Roman non-elite life in rural Italy was characterized by horizontal social relations, such as hospitality, reciprocity, and cooperative work, which can be better understood through archaeological evidence.

New trajectories or accelerating change? Zooarchaeological evidence for Roman transformation of animal husbandry in Northern Italy

Roman economic organization accelerated and reconfigured the complex livestock economy in Northern Italy, influenced by subregional variation in species representation and biometric evolution.