Notes

1. On the food of ancient Rome, see, among many others, J. André, L’alimentation et la cuisine à Rome (Paris: Klincksieck, 1961); and A. Dosi and F. Schnell, A tavola con i romani antichi (Rome: Edizioni Quasar, 1984).

2. In the foundation myth of Rome, the Aventine Hill, which slopes steeply down to the Tiber, was connected with the figures of Romulus and Remus. According to the story, Remus chose the top of this hill for observing and reading the auspices of the flight of birds. In reality, the Aventine was probably the site of the first village, from which it was easy to watch the river and defend against the marshes that surrounded it. Today the hill is an exclusive residential area with numerous Romanesque and other churches, and it still has a marvelous view over the city.