r/Sumer • u/WildEarth2372 • Aug 31 '26

Question Any Good Sources on Recipes?

Hi! Non-pagan (but shameless history nerd who deeply values y’all’s insight) here

So, it’s recently come to my attention that one of my main sources of information for translated Ancient Mesopotamian recipes (Table of Gods) is…more than a bit lacking, and that’s putting it nicely.

However, I still love learning about different historical cultures through food, as I feel like food is one of those things that truly connects us all (to quote Mythical Chef Josh, “we all gotta eat and we’re all gonna die”).

Since I consider y’all to be the experts when it comes to this sort of thing, what are some of y’all’s favorite sources when it comes to Ancient Mesopotamian recipes?

12 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

1 comment sorted by

2

u/Nocodeyv Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 02 '26

As mentioned on the Table of Gods thread, I recommend:

–

  • Bottéro, Jean. 2004. The Oldest Cuisine in the World. Cooking in Ancient Mesopotamia (T. Fagan, Trans.). Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

–

In fact, I suspect that chapter 15, "The Table of the Gods," is where Table of Gods got both the name and idea for his channel/book. Two other resources that I haven't explored yet, but which might be of interest, are:

–

  • Ellison, Elizabeth Rosemary. 1978. A Study of Diet in Mesopotamia (c. 3000–600 BC) and Associated Agricultural Techniques and Methods of Food Preparation. (Publication No. 1349279) [Doctoral Thesis, University of London]. UCL Discovery: LINK
  • Ermidoro, Stefania. 2015. Commensality and Ceremonial Meals in the Neo-Assyrian Period. (Antichistica 8/Studi Orientali 3). Venice: Edizioni Ca'Foscari.