The Culinary Whims Of Queen Cleopatra

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

What did Queen Cleopatra of Egypt eat? From glamorous banquets to her favorite dishes, discover the soul of Cleopatra as one of the most exquisite food lovers!

The last queen of ancient Egypt was Cleopatra VII of the Ptolemaic dynasty, who ruled from 51 to 30 BC, facing Roman rule with a political strategy based on personal magnetism and a luxurious lifestyle. At a very young age, she became the mistress of the much older Julius Caesar, before beginning a long and deep love affair with Mark Antony, which ended in their death.

We attribute the credit to the two most famous lovers of antiquity for creating one of the first gastronomic associations in history: Anthony and Cleopatra brought together the most famous gourmets of the era, calling the group The Circle of the Incomparable. Members enjoyed hunting expeditions and parties, discussions with scientists and librarians, and even adventurous expeditions to dangerous areas of Egypt.

The discovery and translations of some papyri found in the Oasis of Fayyum, the richest area in Egypt, reveal interesting facts about the gastronomy of the era. Egyptian cuisine precedes Mediterranean cuisine, not, as one might logically assume, Arabic cuisine, which is heavier in terms of spices.

They used olive oil, light cheeses, vegetables, legumes, cereals, aromatic herbs and enjoyed meat and fish dishes. Thanks to the documents, we learn that stuffed pigeons garnished with seasonal vegetables were often served at the table of the most famous queen of history, an educated and intelligent woman (they say she was able to have an irresistibly fascinating conversation).

Guests also enjoyed Fauva bean soup, as well as barley and einkorn soups, which were usually used to open dinner and whet the appetite. The game often alternated with mutton. And in the most sophisticated cases, the fish from the Nile occupied a central place. Desserts consisted of delicious fig and nut cakes topped with honey. And for refreshment at dinner, the tables have never lacked good Greek wine and beer, a valuable legacy of the pharaohs.

Transforming their incomparable lives into interesting facts, two unforgettable episodes left by Cleopatra and Anthony remain in our minds. The first is the bet between the two who can host the most expensive and sophisticated banquet.

The event, described by Gaius Plinius Secundus (Latin for Gaius Plinius Secundus), abbreviated Pliny the Elder (or Senior) and immortalized in numerous paintings, reveals that Anthony was her frantic ally, hunting for the rarest and most exotic foods, and Cleopatra spent more than ten million sesterces (Roman coins) on expensive delicacies, and even melted one of her exquisite priceless earrings in a glass of vinegar.

The scene described by Dr. Philota (narrated by his grandfather Plutarch) speaks of his visit to the yard and his shock when he discovers that there were eight wild boars in the kitchen at different stages of roasting because Mark Antony required that this meat be in at any time of the day, in case he feels hungry or if he receives an unexpected visit from guests.

Other sources reveal that Cleopatra loved to eat an exotic dish made from camel hooves. Unfortunately, the recipe and method of preparation have been lost over time.