Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c9.s36: 25. Food and drink

Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c9.s36

Language: English

25. Food and drink

c9.s36.1

The Indians, says Megasthenes, lived frugally, and, being simple in their manners, led happy lives. Their staple food was rice, and there was no common meal hour, each one taking his food by himself when he felt inclined; 'the contrary custom would be better for the ends of social and civil life'¹. At supper a table was placed before each person and a golden bowl on it; into this they first put boiled rice and then they added many dainties prepared in the Indian way². They drank wine only at sacrifices, at which they did not stab the victim, but strangled it in order that only what is entire may be offered to the deity.

c9.s36.2

¹ Frag. XXVII (pp. 69-70)=Strabo, XV, 1, 53-4 (pp. 55-8).

c9.s36.3

² Frag. XXVIII (p. 74).

Linked texts (1)

Ἰνδική — Λούκιος Φλάουιος Ἀρριανός, Ancient Greek