A History of the World in 100 Objects

Hoxne pepper pot

May 28, 2010

Discover the intriguing history of a silver pepper pot buried as part of a hoard, reflecting the elite's appetite for luxury goods in Roman Britain. Explore the Romans' fascination with pepper and its impact on their opulent menus. Uncover the significance of the Hoxne horde and the dangers faced by the wealthy during times of instability.

14:12

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Quick takeaways

The spice trade, particularly in pepper, played a vital role in funding empires and sparked wars throughout history.

Pepper was highly valued in Roman cuisine due to its flavor-enhancing properties and believed ability to provide warmth in cold climates.

Deep dives

The Importance and Profitability of the Spice Trade

The podcast explores the historical significance of the spice trade between the Far East and Europe, particularly focusing on the Roman Empire. The trade of spices such as pepper played a vital role in funding the Portuguese and Dutch empires and sparked numerous wars. The Romans, in particular, were heavily invested in the spice trade and derived significant profits from it.

Introduction

2min

A Roman Pepper Pot from Hoxne, Suffolk

3min

The Romans' Fascination with Food and the Importance of Pepper

3min

Buried Wealth and the Significance of a Silver Pepper Pot

6min

Neil MacGregor's world history told through objects at the British Museum arrives in Britain at the time of the Roman collapse. Throughout this week he has been looking at how different cultures around the globe were pursuing pleasure, roughly 2000 years ago, from smoking in North America to team sports in Central America.

Today, Neil looks at how the elite of Roman Britain sustained their appetite for luxury goods and good living in the years before their demise. He tells the story through a silver pepper pot that was discovered as part of a buried hoard - hidden possibly by Romans on the run. He describes the ambitions of the elite in Roman Britain and how they satisfied their particular taste for pepper, with contributions from the food writer Christine McFadden and historian Roberta Tomber.

Producer: Anthony Denselow

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A History of the World in 100 Objects

Hoxne pepper pot

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Importance and Profitability of the Spice Trade

The Role of Pepper in Roman Cuisine

The Rediscovery of Buried Roman Treasure

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts