Food for the Lewd: Ananius fr. 5 & 6W

Abstract: Ananius fr. 5 is not simply a list of gastronomic delights but an extended series of humorous metaphors of a type common among early iambic and comic authors. The bon vivant image of the poem, whether merely ironic or echoing ethical concerns with consumption and self-control, and the confusion surrounding Ananius’ name and identity are all difficult points of interpretation. It is argued here that, although he is often thought of as representing a gentler strand of the iambic repertoire, a comparison with the Homeric Odysseus suggests that Ananius is a more familiar iambic figure than previously thought.