Fish-Eating in Greece from the Fifth Century B.C. to the Seventh Century A.D.

This study brings a variety of approaches to bear on problems realting to fish eating, its prevalence and economic and cultural significance in classical Greece. Archaeological work is used to determine how widespread fishing was, and in which regions fishing was particularly intensive. Although the scale of fishing appears highly variable there appears to be little link between this and environmental factors. Accordingly, much of the book is given over to literary and anthropological research to determine the reasons for fish consumption, looking at the ancient classification of fish, their use in cultic practices, processes of distribution and marketing, and the relationship between fish consumption and social class.