Angemessene Anteile

From a physiological point of view, meat may not be an entirely indispensable part of the human diet, but its communal consumption and distribution do occupy a special position in socio-political life. The present study introduces possibilities and methods for approaching the significance of meat consumption in the diet of Geometric and Archaic Greece. However, the main focus is on the social functions of such behaviours [e.g. as part of power or gender relations], as well as a discussion of the artefacts connected to it, such as knives. Case studies analyse the actual co-occurrence of knives and animal bone in assemblages from Greek sanctuaries and necropoleis, differentiate the patterns and demonstrate possible interpretative levels. In addition, reflections on the consumption and distribution of meat in contemporary vase painting and literature are examined, in particular the motifs of the meat distributor / offerant and of the sacrificial community, represented from the 6th century onwards.
 
Aus physiologischer Sicht ist Fleisch zwar kein vollkommen unverzichtbarer Bestandteil der menschlichen Ernährung, sein gemeinsamer Konsum und seine Verteilung nehmen aber einen besonderen Stellenwert im soziopolitischen Zusammenleben ein. Die vorliegende Untersuchung stellt Möglichkeiten und Methoden zur Diskussion, sich dem Stellenwert des Fleischkonsums innerhalb der Ernährung im geometrischen und archaischen Griechenland anzunähern. Im Zentrum stehen jedoch die sozialen Funktionen dieses Verhaltens [z. B. innerhalb von Machtverhältnissen und/oder Geschlechterverhältnissen] und eine Auseinandersetzung mit damit zu verbindenden Instrumenten, wie etwa Messern. In Fallstudien werden die konkreten Fundvergesellschaftungen von Messern und Tierknochen in griechischen Heiligtümern und Nekropolen analysiert, differenziert und mögliche Interpretationsebenen aufgezeigt. Zudem werden Reflexionen über Konsum und Verteilung von Fleisch in der zeitgenössischen Vasenmalerei und Literatur untersucht, besonders die Motive des Fleischverteilers / Opferherrn und der ab dem 6. Jhs. v.Chr. zu fassenden größeren Opfergemeinschaft.

From a physiological point of view, meat may not be an entirely indispensable part of the human diet, but its communal consumption and distribution do occupy a special position in socio-political life. The present study introduces possibilities and methods for approaching the significance of meat consumption in the diet of Geometric and Archaic Greece. However, the main focus is on the social functions of such behaviours [e.g. as part of power or gender relations], as well as a discussion of the artefacts connected to it, such as knives. Case studies analyse the actual co-occurrence of knives and animal bone in assemblages from Greek sanctuaries and necropoleis, differentiate the patterns and demonstrate possible interpretative levels. In addition, reflections on the consumption and distribution of meat in contemporary vase painting and literature are examined, in particular the motifs of the meat distributor / offerant and of the sacrificial community, represented from the 6th century onwards.