The History of Food Tasters (Praegustatores): Ensuring Safety at the Roman Table

In ancient Rome, the role of a praegustator or food taster was not just a matter of culinary enjoyment but a critical function in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the emperor and other important officials. This practice of food tasting, though perhaps not widely known today, was an integral part of Roman society, particularly in the imperial court. The position of the praegustator reflected the ever-present fears of poison and assassination that surrounded the political life of the empire.

What Was a Praegustator?

The term praegustator comes from Latin, where "prae-" means "before," and "gustare" means "to taste." Thus, the praegustator was literally a "pre-taster," someone who tasted food and drink before it was served to an emperor, noble, or high-ranking official. The role was most crucial in the imperial palace, where fears of poisoning were rampant.

The Importance of the Role in Ancient Rome

In ancient Rome, political intrigue and assassination were common, and poisoning was one of the most popular methods used to eliminate rivals or enemies. The praegustator was tasked with tasting all the food and beverages meant for the emperor or other high-ranking individuals to ensure that no poison had been added.

This practice was particularly prominent during the reign of the Roman emperors, where emperors were often at the mercy of their closest advisors or family members, any of whom might have had the motive to use poison as a means to secure power. The praegustator's primary duty was to eat or drink a portion of the meal and ensure its safety before the primary individual consumed it. shutdown123