“…Let me swallow some of the red stuff because I am famished…” – Genesis 25:30. The red stuff refers to a stew or soup made from red lentils, often referred to as Pottage. It was prepared by Jacob, the younger twin brother of Esau. Esau returned home from the fields exhausted and starving, but found…
Posts By: Tony J. Chopelas
“A woman without paint is like food without salt.” – Roman philosopher Plautus, 254-184 B.C. The wealthy Roman woman had a slave specially trained in the art of applying makeup, lotions, and perfumes. Her valet’s title was cosmetae, meaning “to anoint and paint.” The higher the lady’s status, the more makeup she wore. Regardless of…
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105. When ancient travelers journeyed at night, walking over uneven, pebbled pathways could be a daunting task. Holding out a handheld lamp illuminated rocks and ruts directly ahead. At times the traveler would strap a small clay lamp directly…
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are like whited sepulchers…” – Matthew 23:27. According to Jewish law, coming into contact with the dead would result in contamination and defilement. Therefore the Jews were instructed to whitewash, or cover with lime, all tombs and gravesites. Pouring chalk infused water upon the unclean place…
“Apicius, the most gluttonous gorger of all spendthrifts, established the view that flamingo’s tongue has a specially fine flavor.” – Pliny, Natural History X.133. Marcus Gavius Apicius was a Roman merchant famous for his legendary epicurean talents. He devised exotic and sumptuous recipes, and hosted dinner parties for the luminaries of his time. Among his…
“And you shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually.” – Exodus 27:20. These were instructions given to Moses and the people of Israel regarding the lighting of the Tabernacle. A lamp stand was to be placed outside the…
“You sold a slave to buy a costly mullet for your dinner, Calliodorus…” – Martial, Epigrams X, XXXI. Ancient Romans were so fond of red mullet that they were bred in domestic ponds. Conscientiously attended by their caretakers, the fish were trained to surface at the ringing of a bell, or when summoned by their…
“…And they had brick for stone, and slime for mortar” – Genesis 11:4. After the great flood, Noah and his offspring were instructed by God to be fruitful, to multiply, and to fill the earth (Genesis 9:1). According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, after departing the mountains of Ararat, they eventually settled within Mesopotamia’s Euphrates…
“Everyone, even if he is poor, rears a son; but exposes a daughter, even if he is rich”. – Poseidippus of Cassandreia, 316-250 B.C. Under the earliest Roman laws, parents could legally dispose of their deformed babies if they had the agreement of 5 neighbors. Soon the consensus was no longer required, and people were…
“The crossing of wagons in the narrow, winding streets, the swearing of drivers brought to a standstill would snatch sleep from a sea-lion or emperor Claudius himself.” – Decimus Junius Juvenalis. The design and width of Roman roads was specified by the Laws of the Twelve Tables around 450 B.C. Major thoroughfares designed for side…