# Marcus Gavius Apicius

> 1st century BC Roman aristocrat and gourmet

**Wikidata**: [Q117841](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117841)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Gavius_Apicius)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/marcus-gavius-apicius

## Summary
Marcus Gavius Apicius was a 1st-century BC Roman aristocrat and gourmet, known for his contributions to Roman cuisine and culinary culture. His legacy is preserved in the *De Re Coquinaria*, an ancient cookbook that remains a foundational text in the history of gastronomy.

## Biography
- Born: -25 (approximate)
- Nationality: Roman
- Education: Unknown (no data available)
- Known for: Authoring *De Re Coquinaria*, a seminal work on Roman cuisine
- Employer(s): None listed (no data available)
- Field(s): Culinary arts, gastronomy

## Contributions
Marcus Gavius Apicius authored *De Re Coquinaria*, a 10-volume cookbook that documented Roman culinary practices, ingredients, and techniques. The work, compiled in the 1st century AD, remains the oldest surviving cookbook and provides invaluable insights into ancient Roman dining customs.

## FAQs
**What is Marcus Gavius Apicius known for?**
Marcus Gavius Apicius is known for writing *De Re Coquinaria*, a 10-volume cookbook that details Roman culinary traditions and remains a foundational text in the history of gastronomy.

**Where was Marcus Gavius Apicius from?**
Marcus Gavius Apicius was a Roman aristocrat, indicating his origins were in the Roman Republic or early Empire.

**Did Marcus Gavius Apicius have any notable employers?**
No data is available regarding Marcus Gavius Apicius's employers or affiliations.

**What was the significance of *De Re Coquinaria*?**
*De Re Coquinaria* is the oldest surviving cookbook, offering a unique glimpse into Roman cuisine and culinary practices of the 1st century AD.

## Why They Matter
Marcus Gavius Apicius's *De Re Coquinaria* is a cornerstone of culinary history, preserving Roman gastronomic traditions that have influenced modern cooking. The work's survival provides scholars with direct evidence of ancient Roman dining customs, making Apicius an essential figure in the study of food history.

## Notable For
- Authored *De Re Coquinaria*, the oldest surviving cookbook
- Preserved Roman culinary traditions in written form
- Influenced later works on gastronomy and cooking

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Marcus Gavius Apicius was a Roman aristocrat active during the 1st century BC. Little is known about his personal life, but his name and status suggest he was part of the elite class in Ancient Rome.

### Culinary Contributions
Apicius's most notable work, *De Re Coquinaria*, was compiled in the 1st century AD. The 10-volume cookbook details Roman culinary practices, ingredients, and techniques, offering a unique perspective on ancient Roman dining customs. The work remains a foundational text in the history of gastronomy.

### Legacy and Influence
*De Re Coquinaria* has been studied and referenced by scholars for centuries, providing invaluable insights into Roman cuisine. The cookbook's survival makes Apicius an essential figure in the study of food history, influencing later works on gastronomy and cooking.

### Citations and References
Apicius's work has been cited in academic literature, including studies on Roman gastronomy and ancient culinary traditions. The *De Re Coquinaria* is held in various libraries and archives, ensuring its continued relevance in scholarly research.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marcus-Gavius-Apicius)
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. Lexikon der Antike
7. Metzler Lexikon Antike
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. JSTOR
10. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Apicius%20Coelius)
11. Mirabile: Digital Archives for Medieval Culture
12. CONOR.SI
13. CERL Thesaurus
14. Library of Congress Control Number
15. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
16. LIBRIS. 2012
17. Digital Scriptorium Catalog