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Aristophanes and stable isotopes: a taste for freshwater fish in Classical Thebes (Greece)?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

E. Vika ,
V. Aravantinos  and
M.P. Richards
E. Vika*
Affiliation:
Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
V. Aravantinos
Affiliation:
IX Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Thebes 322 00, Greece
M.P. Richards
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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Abstract

Stable isotopes in skeletons indicate changes in diet, and a sample of humans from Classical Thebes showed an unexpected increase in nitrogen values – usually associated with increased access to protein. But from what and how? After considering the possible sources of meat, milk and manure, the authors highlight the contribution of freshwater fish, and find support in Aristophanes – where the citizens are heard clamouring for the eels of Lake Kopais.

Keywords

GreeceThebesClassical periodstable isotopesdietfisheelsAristophanes
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 83 , Issue 322 , December 2009 , pp. 1076 - 1083
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2009

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