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Honey culture in Byzantium: an outline of textual, iconographic and archaeological evidence, in Hatjina, Fani; Mavrofridis, George; Jones, Richard (Eds) Beekeeping in the Mediterranean - From Antiquity to the present. Nea Moudania 2018, 93-104.

Abstract
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This paper explores the significance of apiculture in Byzantine culture by examining textual, artistic, and archaeological sources related to honey and beekeeping practices. The findings highlight the multifaceted role of honey in Byzantine society, including its use in literature, art, and daily life. It emphasizes the need for further documentation and study of beekeeping artifacts and practices throughout Byzantine history.

Key takeaways
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  1. The paper explores Byzantine apiculture through textual, artistic, and archaeological evidence.
  2. Honey production was vital for nutritional needs and economic stability in Byzantine monastic communities.
  3. Saint Philaretos owned 250 beehives, highlighting significant wealth and apicultural practices in Byzantine society.
  4. The Geoponica remains the only Byzantine treatise focused on apiculture, composed around the 10th century.
  5. Beehives and their artistic representations provide insights into Byzantine daily life and cultural significance.

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FAQs

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What evidence suggests the extent of beekeeping in Byzantine monastic communities?add

Monastic communities prioritized honey and wax for dietary and practical needs, establishing apiaries and inheriting beekeeping assets by the 11th century.

How did Byzantine literature shape perceptions of bees and honey?add

The works of figures like Saint Basil the Great emphasized bees as symbols of diligence, contrasting weakness with strength, and linking honey with divine sweetness.

What role did honey play in Byzantine diet and economic practices?add

Honey was a staple sweetener before sugar became available and served various culinary and preservative purposes, indicating its importance in medieval trade.

When did Byzantine taxation on beekeeping practices first appear?add

A tax on beekeeping, known as melissoennomion, was first recorded in 1152, emphasizing honey’s economic significance.

What archaeological findings provide insight into Byzantine beekeeping practices?add

Archaeological discoveries from the late '70s revealed clay beehive sherds with wax residues, indicating their use in beekeeping during the Byzantine era.

About the author
Hellenic Ministry of Culture & Sports, Faculty Member

PhD in Byzantine Archeology and Art / [email protected] Former Marie Curie Research Fellow at McCord Centre for Landscape, Newcastle University project Hydromedie (http//hydromedie.com)

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