Oedipus at the table

The ancient Greek meal is organized around two poles: sîtos, the staple cereal food (barley cake or porridge, wheat bread for the rich), and ópson, the "accompaniment" — fish, meat, vegetables, cheese, olives. The evening meal (deîpnon) at a Theban king's table extends into a symposion, where wine is always mixed with water. The gods receive their share before men: libations and offering cakes open and close the cycle.

Two absolute markers of the archaic Greek table: wild honey from the slopes of Mount Cithaeron (where the infant Oedipus was exposed) perfumes cakes and offerings, and olive oil binds, cooks, and sacralizes every dish. No butter, no sugar: honey is sweetness, olive is wealth.