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Marcus Gavius Apicius's life was one of culinary excess, and his death reflects the perils of indulgence. Known for extravagant feasts and culinary experimentation, he died by suicide after exhausting his fortune due to lavish hospitality. Ironically, his reputation lives on through this cookbook, which highlights not just recipes, but a cultural understanding of food's role in Roman society.
The voluminous array of recipes found within De Re Coquinaria ranges from simple pottage for the common man to elaborate dishes, such as stuffed flamingo or dormouse. Each recipe stands testament to Roman society's varied tastes and practices, filled with flavors and textures that many modern palates remain unaware of.