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Praegustator
(174 words)

[German version]

('Food taster'). Food tasters, used to protect persons in positions of high authority from poisoning, had been employed since the time of the Persian Achaemenidae [2], then also by Alexander [4] the Great (e.g. Xen. Cyr. 1,3,9; Just. Epit. 12,14,9). Mark Antony (Antonius [II I 9]) is said to have been the first of the Romans to employ a praegustator (Plin. HN. 21,9,12). Praegustatores were put in the employ of Roman rulers beginning with Augustus [1]. It is unclear whether their profession was always in reality dangerous. A certain Coetus Herodianus, praegustator divi A…

Cite this page
Eck, Werner (Cologne), “Praegustator”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 28 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1007210>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510



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