Vegetarianism as Political Religious Conduct in Late Antiquity
The Cases of Emperor Julian and of the Bishop of Avila
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34024/herodoto.2025.v10.22650Keywords:
Vegetarianism, Julian, Priscillian, NeoplatonismAbstract
The culinary practices of Late antiquity reveal significant aspects of the political, cultural and religious contexts of ancient societies. In this article, we will explore the intersection between Emperor Julian’s culinary and philosophical practices and those of Priscillian of Avila. Julian, influenced by Neoplatonism and by the medical diets prescribed by his doctor, Oribasius of Pergamon, adopted a simple life, refraining from the consumption of meat in search for spiritual purification. Priscillian, in turn, inspired by oriental thinking and by an ascetic Christianity, was also adherent to vegetarianism. However, his culinary practices were considered to be heretic by the Nicene ecclesia. This article aims to analyse the way nourishment interconnected with these two important Late antiquity figures’ philosophical and religious life.
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