Onion in Greek and Roman

Onion probably acquired its name from the city built by ONIA in 1703 B.C. near Gulf of Suez. Onion is believed to have originated in Central Asia, possibly in Iran- Pakistan region. Onions have been revered not only for their culinary use, but also, for their therapeutic properties.

Ancient Sumerians widely grew and cooked onions 4000 years ago. Onion was popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans for seasoning of foods. The pungency of onions made them popular among poor people throughout the world who could freely use this inexpensive vegetable to spark up their meals.

Ancient Greeks were aware of the numerous health benefits of consuming onions, so athletes ate them frequently and in large amounts. In order to firm up their muscles, Roman gladiators were rubbed down with onions as well. Romans also believed in benefits of onion-eating such as helping soothe toothaches or insomnia. The Romans felt the concentric circle configuration of the onion represented eternity.

Additionally, the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates wrote in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C. that a broad variety of onions were eaten regularly in Greece. He suggested onion as a diuretic, laxative, and emmenagogue. He also used onion for the treatment of pneumonia, and, externally, for healing putrid wounds.

When the Romans introduced the onion in Europe it quickly became a popular vegetable. Despite protracted social and religious taboos through the centuries, the onion has gradually regained respectability.

Scientific research on these plants started in the second half of the 19th century with the work of Louis Pasteur that in 1858 first noted antibacterial properties of garlic. Later on, in 1932 Albert Schweitzer treated amoebic dysentery in Africa with garlic.
Onion in Greek and Roman

Onion in ancient Egypt

In the oldest recorded history, onions were depicted as food in Egyptian tombs as early as 3200 B.C. It is believed that Egyptians fed them to workers for strength to build pyramids.

In addition, they were depicted in the funerary paintings in tombs and even placed on and around mummies. The artificial mummification process started in the Fourth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom reached its peak in the New Kingdom.

Onions were found in body cavities from the New Kingdom until the Third Intermediate Period. Archeologists discovered that Ramesses IV had onions placed in his eye sockets and his ears, and a piece of onion skin covered with resin was inserted into each nostril.

Food was baked, boiled, stewed, fried, grilled, or roasted in Egypt. However, very little is known about its preparation. They certainly used onions, salt (Hmat) and oil also probably radishes and garlic as well to add flavour to their other foods.

Egyptians thought garlic and onions aided endurance, and consumed large quantities of them. Raw garlic was routinely given to asthmatics and to those suffering with bronchial-pulmonary complaints. Onions helped against problems of the digestive system.

The ancient Egyptians worshipped the onion, believing that its spherical shape and concentric ring symbolized eternity. Of all the vegetables, that had their images created from precious metals by Egyptian artists, only the onion was made out of gold.
Onion in ancient Egypt

History of Onion

History of Onion
If a person eats half of raw onion every day, the good HDL will goes up 30%. Onions increase blood circulation and good for reducing blood pressure. Onion usually refers to Allium cepa. Allium cepa is one of the oldest vegetable known. It’s a large family containing 500 species.

It has been used as a food source for millennia. Onion is a native to South Asia and is widely used in Indian cooking.

Most researches agreed that the onion has been cultivated for 5000 years. It grew in Chinese gardens as early as that time.

Apart from using as a currency to pay the workers who built the pyramids, Ancient Egypt 3500 B.C worshipped the onion and believed that its spherical shape symbolized the eternal life. Painting of onions appears on the walls of the pyramids and in tombs of both the old Kingdom and the new Kingdom.

King Ramses IV, who died in 1160 B.C, was entombed with onions in his eye sockets. Egyptian believed that onion strong scent would prompt the dead to breathe again. Sumerians also believed to have grown the onions since 2500 B.C in their farm.

In middle ages, onion became one of European three main cuisines (beans, cabbage and onion). It was the Roma who introduced the onion to Europe. The Latin name unio was to describe a species of onion resembling a single white pearl. At that time, in American native was using wild onions in syrups, in dyes even in toys. They also ate as a raw.

History of Onion