What foods were popular in ancient Athens?

The foods enjoyed in ancient Athens were much like the foods found in other areas of Greece at the time and generally centered around wine, bread and olive oil. Although some meats were included in the diets of the ancient Athenians, they ate more vegetables and fruits than meats.

In ancient Greek civilization, meat was forbidden unless it had been hunted in the wild or sacrificed to a god. Most Greeks ate an abundance of fish, with other meats typically reserved for holidays and feasts. Greek meals generally began with bread that was dipped in wine. Vegetables like green peas, lentils and beans were a big part of the diet at the time, and fruits like figs and apples were popular fare.