Early Christian Culinary Art Exploration

E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n

Martin CJ Mongiello, MBACEC, MCFE, CHM, CPFM

Senior CuratorThe Presidential Culinary Museum

The Inn of the Patriots301 Cleveland Avenue, PO 114

Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940

www.theinnofthepatriots.comEarly Christian Culinary

ArtExploratio

nE a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940

www.theinnofthepatriots.com

Early Christian Culinary ArtExploration


As a culinary arts student at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, PA and Charlotte, NC - I decided to examine an extremely elusive topic. The

culinary arts are not very well known during the period of the formation of the Christian churches. This exercise satisfied study requirements in my chosen field of the Culinary Arts as well as classes in the History of

Art in Early Civilization. Ultimately, I was amazed at what I found; Greeks, Romans, Christians and others preparing and cooking food. Not because I’d never believed that they cooked – but due to seeing it before

my very eyes. It was nice to find work showing the early Christians (BC) cooking and eating as well as those who came out in the open, later (AD)

when it was safe (thank you Constantine).




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n - http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/megalopsychia-border-houses.jpg.html

Title: Villas and a Game – refreshments sold on the streetArtist: Unknown, possibly instructed to include the names Heliades and Leontios on the walls above their houses that they owned.Dated: 450 BC – 75 ADCity & Country: Yakto village near Daphne, TurkeyMedia: Mosaic

Information from Glanville Downey, Ancient Antioch (1963), illustration 56.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/megalopsychia-border-houses.jpg.html




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n – Map of Daphne, outside of Antioch (Antakya) from Google Maps http://maps.google.com/maps?q=antioch+turkey&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Antioch,+Turkey&gl=us&ei=NeYGTN3nL4G78gblvNCyCA&ved=0CB8Q8gEwAA&z=13

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=antioch+turkey&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Antioch,+Turkey&gl=us&ei=NeYGTN3nL4G78gblvNCyCA&ved=0CB8Q8gEwAA&z=13














Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940


Early Christian

Culinary ArtExploration

E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n - http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/megalopsychia-border-martyrion.jpg.html

Line: Corrupted due to simply showing a street scene. Color: Could possibly have been nice at one time but is now very faded. Value: Quite possibly worth millions of dollars. Texture: Appears to be precious and rough. Shape: This mosaic is long and rectangular. One shape in the mosaic denotes a servant from a staff. He is the one in the short skirt, denoting staff. Form: Very accurate in placement of the smallest pieces to create a beautiful showing of daily life in Turkey! To the right we even see Markellinos the Manager with his dog, lounging while a servant named Chalkomas pours him a drink.Space: The spacing between houses and events is very realistic to an actual street in Daphne. It is very well done. Balance: Things are proportionate and look accurate. This is a task not easily done when working on a mosaic. Emphasis: Here we see the true people engaged in a variety of everyday tasks and occurrences. Contrast: difficult to determine or comment on - due to age. Movement: There’s great movement in this piece with folks even running down the street! Rhythm: This is established via several different action poses, from left to right, as the pageantry of the city comes to life. Pattern: Aside from the uniform border at the bottom - no other pattern has been determined. Unity: The unifying factor in this mosaic is the people themselves going about their daily lives.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/megalopsychia-border-martyrion.jpg.html




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n - http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/vasard/uk6.html#Cooking

Title: UnknownArtist: UnknownDated: UnknownCity & Country: GreeceMedia: Amphora vase

http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/vasard/uk6.html#Cooking




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n - http://maps.google.com/maps?q=greece+map&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Greece&gl=us&ei=SPEGTP7jLML78AbRmZWcDA&ved=0CCcQ8gEwAA&z=5

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=greece+map&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Greece&gl=us&ei=SPEGTP7jLML78AbRmZWcDA&ved=0CCcQ8gEwAA&z=5














Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n - http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/vasard/uk6.html

Line: Very realistic and accurate to the human body. Color: Here they have the classic use of black and orange - typical of Amphora vases. Value: Potentially worth millions of dollars. Texture: Smooth to the touch. Shape: Classic vase shape.

Balance: The spacing between the characters is realistic and therefore balanced as it appears natural. Emphasis: I included this picture because of the amazing emphasis on the fire pit and capability to see a whole chicken being cooked! Take a look closer and see how the man is pouring wine over the chicken, that the boy is holding. This technique will make it more tender and give it flavor. They really did cook back then - and cook good. Adding flavor. Despite being a very elusive subject, these recent ruins found in Greece have shown me very ancient cookery - at it’s finest.

http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/vasard/uk6.html




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n – http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/WebPhotosProFiles/600/megalopsychia-border3-c-osseman-white.jpg

Title: Megalopsychia Border, Right Side: Street FoodArtist: UnknownDated: 450 BC – 75 ADCity & Country: Yakto Village, Daphne, TurkeyMedia: Mosaic

Antakya Museum, inv. 1016. Photo © Dick Osseman. Information from Glanville Downey, Ancient Antioch (1963), illustration 54.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/WebPhotosProFiles/600/megalopsychia-border3-c-osseman-white.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/antakya_museum

http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/antakya_museum




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940







Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n - http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/megalopsychia-border4-c-osseman.jpg.html

“On a principal street in Antioch, meat is prepared and sold on three-legged portable chopping blocks and a man purchases a round loaf of bread from a vendor with a portable table. Here the border turns the corner, where a vendor (displayed vertically; not shown in this photo) has his wares spread out on a table (Downey illus 54).”

Shape: It should be noted that the shape of this entire mosaic showing daily life from Antakya (Antioch) walking to Daphne is a border around a massive mosaic (form) that was found. Emphasis: In this section the emphasis is on meat and bread – the staples of life. Movement: Achieved via movement of the vendors on their tables, cooking and working with food. Rhythm: Continued all the way around the border in a unifying manner (Unity).

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/megalopsychia-border4-c-osseman.jpg.html




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n - http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/welcome-message.jpg.html

Title: Welcome to the InnArtist: UnknownDated: 6th Century ADCity & Country: Antakya Village, Daphne, TurkeyMedia: Mosaic

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/welcome-message.jpg.html




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940







Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940




Inscription of welcome to an inn in Antioch of the sixth century AD. The text opens with a phrase from I Samuel 16:4: "Thy coming is peaceful, you who behold this. Joy and blessing to those who dwell here. The paving with mosaic of the triclinium took place in the time of Megas and Johnand Anthusa, keepers of the inn, in the month of Gorpiaios, in the fifth indication.“ Antakya Museum.

I couldn’t help but put this sixth century greeting to travelers in this presentation. Since we own an Inn - we constantly welcome folks off of the road and feed them. It seems that some practices with food have not changed, even though it has been SO long! The mosaic pattern reminds me of a rug woven perfectly with respect to the shapes, lines, formation and spacing. It is as if it came off of a loom the other day…




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940




Title: Olive HarvestArtist: Antimenes Painter Dated: 520 BCCity & Country: Vulci, Italy (North of Rome)Media: Clay pottery vase – Neck Amphora




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n – photo from http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4ilnRgJowHY/SfZk6ff518I/AAAAAAAAAcM/3uu1bSYDkic/s320/PIC_0037.JPG

Lines: These are crisp and dark. Color: A mix of soft orange backgrounds with crisp, black drawings. Value: Potentially in the millions of dollars. Texture: Typical for an Amphora, the vases are very smooth. Shape: Classic bulb bottom transcending into a pear - top with twin handles. Form: A freely done vase and perfectly balanced to stand on it’s own. Space: The drawings are stuffed into a small space. One must slowly study this vase to enjoy the olives being harvested. These were brought by the Greeks to Italy and planted. Olives became a large part of the everyday diet and still are today. Olive oil is extremely famous in Italy and throughout the world, Italian olive oil is prized for it’s acidity and flavor profile..

Balance: Although the drawing is not perfect – the vase nearly is, in shape and twin handles. Emphasis: The main subject here is the harvest of the grapes and it is done beautifully. Contrast: The bodies around the tree are beautiful in contrast to the trunk. Movement: One may notice and appreciate, as I did, the whipping of sticks to drop the olives. Rhythm: Rhythm is attained through one whip being raised while the other person is on the down stroke, having already swung their stick. Pattern: There are pretty patterns below and above the scene that ensconce and offer control. Unity: I believe that the circuitous patterns encircling the vase offer unity that is unending.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4ilnRgJowHY/SfZk6ff518I/AAAAAAAAAcM/3uu1bSYDkic/s320/PIC_0037.JPG




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n - http://www.answers.com/topic/black-figure-pottery

Title: Calydonia Boar Hunt Artist: Timiades Painter or the Tyrrhenian GroupDated: 560 BCCity & Country: Southern Etruria, now in the Berlin Collection of Classical Antiquities, Altes Museum Media: Painted Amphora vase made of clay.

http://www.answers.com/topic/black-figure-pottery




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940



E a r l y C h r i s t i a n C u l i n a r y A r t E x p l o r a t i o n – map from http://ms.fci.unibo.it/~baccolin/Image2.gif

The region of Etruria where this vase (560

BC) is found is actually quite

expansive, for it’s day.

http://ms.fci.unibo.it/~baccolin/Image2.gif




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940




Lines: These are crisp and dark. Color: A mix of soft orange backgrounds with crisp, black drawings and large black boar as the centerpiece. Value: Potentially in the millions of dollars. Texture: Typical for an Amphora, the vase is very smooth. Shape: Classic bulb bottom transcending into a pear top - with twin handles. Form: A freely done vase and perfectly balanced to stand on it’s own. To me they are awesome, being this old and able to stand up on their own! Space: The drawings are in small spaces around, and on, three layers of story. One must slowly study this vase to enjoy the hunt for dinner. Folks often say, “how do we really know what they ate back then,” – look here! I have had boar and it is tasty.

Balance: The vase nearly is balanced perfectly. Emphasis: The main subject here is the hunt of the boar, for food, on the top line of art. Contrast: Striking shades of color juxtaposed against one another via hue and color. Movement: With sharp fangs the boar is still alive and fighting! Rhythm: Attained through the lack of a dead boar – in the process of killing it for dinner, it appears that one man has been trampled by the animal, already. Pattern: There are pretty patterns below and above the scene that ensconce and offer control. Unity: I believe that the circuitous patterns encircling the vase offer unity that is unending.




Grover, NC 28073001 (704) 937-2940


Early Christian

Culinary ArtExploration


Campbell, W. A. "Excavations at Antioch-on-the-Orontes." American Journal of Archaeology 38.2 (1934): 201-6. Print.

Dalby, A. Food in the Ancient World from A to Z. Routledge, 2003. Print.

Downey, G. Ancient Antioch. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, 1963. Print.

Evans, JAS. "Procopius of Caesarea and the Emperor Justinian." Historical Papers 3.1 (1968): 126-39. Print.

Guillaumont, A. "Glanville Downey. Ancient Antioch." Revue de l'histoire des religions 167.1 (1965): 99-100. Print.

Hazlitt, W. C. Old Cookery Books and Ancient Cuisine. Kessinger Pub Co, 2006. Print.

Kaufman, C. K. Cooking in Ancient Civilizations. Greenwood Pub Group, 2006. Print.

Markwardt, J., and R. by Permission. "Antioch and the Shroud." (1998)Print.

Vehling, J. D. Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome: A Bibliography, Critical Review, and Translation of the Ancient Book Known as Apicius De Re Coquinaria: Now for the First Time Rendered into English. Dover Pubns, 1977. Print.

Sacred Destinations. 1 Jun. 2010. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/antioch-mosaic-photos/megalopsychia-border4-c-osseman.jpg.html. Web.

Will, E. "Glanville Downey, Ancient Antioch." Syria 42.1 (1965): 182. Print.

Education

Early Christian Culinary Art Exploration