Apicius (1st century BC) facts for kids
Apicius was the name of a famous Roman who lived a very long time ago, around 90 BC. He was known for loving fancy things and spending a lot of money on them. People said he spent more lavishly than anyone else at that time!
According to an ancient writer named Poseidonius, this early Apicius was even involved in a big event. He was said to be responsible for a man named Rutilius Rufus being sent away from Rome. Rutilius Rufus was known for living a simple life and not spending much on parties, which was very different from Apicius.
The Name Apicius: A Nickname for Food Lovers
Over time, the name Apicius became very famous. It was not just a family name passed down from parents to children. Instead, it became a nickname for anyone who loved food and luxury, especially eating. It was like calling someone a "foodie" or a "gourmand" today!
Famous People Named Apicius
Because the name became a nickname, several other famous people were also called Apicius.
- One was Marcus Gavius Apicius, who was also known for his love of food.
- Another Apicius lived much later, around the 2nd century AD.
Apicius and Cookbooks
Since the name Apicius was so strongly linked to food and fancy eating, it was eventually used for cookbooks.
- The most famous one is a very old Roman cookbook simply called Apicius. It has many recipes from ancient Rome.
- There was also a shorter cookbook called Excerpta Apicii, which means "Abridged Apicius." This book was put together by someone named Vinidarius.
