Galen, the personal physician of the emperor Marcus Aurelius, wrote what was long regarded as the definitive guide to a healthy diet, and profoundly influenced medical thought for centuries. Based on his theory of the four humours, these works describe the effects on health of a vast range of foods including lettuce, lard, peaches and hyacinths.
This book makes all his texts on food available in English for the first time, and provides many captivating insights into the ancient understanding of food and health.

Galen, the personal physician of the emperor Marcus Aurelius, wrote what was long regarded as the definitive guide to a healthy diet, and profoundly influenced medical thought for centuries. Based on his theory of the four humours, these works describe the effects on health of a vast range of foods including lettuce, lard, peaches and hyacinths.
This book makes all his texts on food available in English for the first time, and provides many captivating insights into the ancient understanding of food and health.

"Diet for an Emperor" presents the first translation into English of Books 1 and 4 of the "Medical Compilations" of Oribasius, together with a commentary assessing the medical theories behind this invaluable source of information on food and diet in the Roman Empire.