Tragemata of the symposion: figs, almonds, and sesame with honey
An assortment of soft figs, almonds, and sesame seeds bound with honey, shaped into small sticky bites. The archetypal sweetness of the Greek banquet, that which calls for wine and song.
An assortment of soft figs, almonds, and sesame seeds bound with honey, shaped into small sticky bites. The archetypal sweetness of the Greek banquet, that which calls for wine and song.
When the great table is cleared and the hour of wine comes, then they make room for me and bring me the lyre. Taste these sweets while I play: figs ripened in the sun of Pieria, tender almonds, and this honey that the bees steal from the thyme of the mountains. Roll them in toasted sesame, press them between your fingers — no fire needed, only patience and a cup of wine tempered with water. Listen: as long as the sweetness melts on your tongue, my song will seem even softer to you.
- •Dried figs — a handful (sweet base)
- •Almonds — a small handful (crunch)
- •Thyme honey — enough to bind (binder and sweetness)
- •Toasted sesame seeds — for coating (aromatic signature)
Tragemata of the symposion: figs, almonds, and sesame with honey
An assortment of soft figs, almonds, and sesame seeds bound with honey, shaped into small sticky bites. The archetypal sweetness of the Greek banquet, that which calls for wine and song.
Why this dish? When Orpheus was invited to sing at the symposion, he was honored at the "second table," that of fruits, nuts, and wine mixed with water. His lyre accompanied precisely this sweet moment when people nibbled tragemata while listening to poets.
When the great table is cleared and the hour of wine comes, then they make room for me and bring me the lyre. Taste these sweets while I play: figs ripened in the sun of Pieria, tender almonds, and this honey that the bees steal from the thyme of the mountains. Roll them in toasted sesame, press them between your fingers — no fire needed, only patience and a cup of wine tempered with water. Listen: as long as the sweetness melts on your tongue, my song will seem even softer to you.
Ingredients (period version)
- Dried figs — a handful (sweet base)
- Almonds — a small handful (crunch)
- Thyme honey — enough to bind (binder and sweetness)
- Toasted sesame seeds — for coating (aromatic signature)
Ingredients
- Soft dried figs — 200 g (sweet base)
- Blanched almonds — 80 g (crunch)
- Honey (thyme or wildflower) — 2 tbsp (binder and sweetness)
- Sesame seeds — 4 tbsp (aromatic signature)
Method
- Dry-toast the sesame seeds and almonds for a few minutes until golden, then let cool.
- Coarsely chop the almonds and figs with a knife.
- Mix figs and almonds with the honey until a sticky, uniform paste forms.
- Shape into small balls or patties by hand.
- Roll each bite in the toasted sesame seeds and let rest in the fridge for one hour to firm up.
How it was made : Tragemata were the sweet and savory snacks served after the main meal, during the symposion. Figs, nuts, almonds, raisins, honey, and sesame made up the essentials — sesame, imported from the Near East, was highly prized and used in cakes like itrion.
The contemporary twist : Arrange them as "lyre notes" on a slate, lined up like strings, and dust with a cloud of golden sesame like a constellation.
Sources : Athénée de Naucratis, Les Deipnosophistes (sur les tragemata et le symposion) · Andrew Dalby, Food in the Ancient World from A to Z (2003)
Orpheus · Charactorium