Do Traditional Western European Drinking Practices Have Origins in Antiquity?

Abstract

Over the last few decades, alcohol consumption patterns have been changing in western European cultures (FAO 1991; Hupkens etal, 1992). Many nations have begun to embrace non-traditional beverages and drinking1 practices. There are arguments for both cultural change and for persistence of drinking norms over time or across generations. Indeed, some recent reports suggest both rapid change and persistence (Heath, 1992; McGowan et al, 1992) in some drinking patterns.

The northern and the southern regions of Western Europe have traditionally been seen as having different drinking cultures.² Moreover, these preferences and patterns appear to have persisted from a more distant past. Could it be possible that the traditional western European drinking norms, attitudes and practices may have persisted over the centuries and have origins in antiquity?

To explore the question of the etiology of western European drinking cultures, some tentative hypotheses will be offered. It is hoped that these speculations will generate discussion and a more thorough examination of the inception of drinking attitudes, practices and norms in many cultures. Although a many faceted hypothesis is presented, there is space in this paper only for a focus on one aspect, namely the reasons why different patterns formed in the first place. Questions concerning the process of Romanization and the Germanic influences of the early Middle Ages upon drinking patterns will have to wait for another time. In short, this paper is a tour through some questions, and extremely tentative hints of some answers. Because this paper is a social-science comment synthesizing material from many fields of study, both primary and secondary published sources are used.

Key Words:

• drinking cultures
• alcohol
• western European
• Mediterranean