Opsophagos

Jump to navigation Jump to search

WikiDoc Resources for Opsophagos

Articles

Most recent articles on Opsophagos

Most cited articles on Opsophagos

Review articles on Opsophagos

Articles on Opsophagos in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Opsophagos

Images of Opsophagos

Photos of Opsophagos

Podcasts & MP3s on Opsophagos

Videos on Opsophagos

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Opsophagos

Bandolier on Opsophagos

TRIP on Opsophagos

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Opsophagos at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Opsophagos

Clinical Trials on Opsophagos at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Opsophagos

NICE Guidance on Opsophagos

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Opsophagos

CDC on Opsophagos

Books

Books on Opsophagos

News

Opsophagos in the news

Be alerted to news on Opsophagos

News trends on Opsophagos

Commentary

Blogs on Opsophagos

Definitions

Definitions of Opsophagos

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Opsophagos

Discussion groups on Opsophagos

Patient Handouts on Opsophagos

Directions to Hospitals Treating Opsophagos

Risk calculators and risk factors for Opsophagos

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Opsophagos

Causes & Risk Factors for Opsophagos

Diagnostic studies for Opsophagos

Treatment of Opsophagos

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Opsophagos

International

Opsophagos en Espanol

Opsophagos en Francais

Business

Opsophagos in the Marketplace

Patents on Opsophagos

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Opsophagos

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Background

Opsophagos was an ancient Greek term used to describe one who exhibited a seemingly uncontrollable desire for fish. This term had extremely negative connotations, as it was a criticism not of one's tastes, but rather of one's character.

To be labeled an opsophagos was to be accused of obsessive and over-indulgent behavior, and this was no small charge in ancient Greek society, since such behavior was understood to imply the corruption of the soul. Proper humans were expected to be rational and exercise moderation, so those who could not control their desires were seen as barbaric and uncivilized.

Tales of infamous opsophogoi (plural form) depicted men who took their obsession and greed to unbelievable levels, training their bodies in various ways to be able to consume massive quantities of fish immediately after they had been prepared, ensuring that they would have the fish to themselves, since they would be too hot for others to even touch, let alone eat. These tales of men with heat-resistant throats and padded fingertips were likely fictional, but they served as reminders to all who heard them that letting the pleasure-driven body overcome the rational soul was not the way to become an ideal human. One could enjoy fish, but one had to be careful not to take this enjoyment too far and become an opsophagos.

Source: Davidson, James (1997). Courtesans and Fishcakes: The Consuming Passions of Classical Athens. Great Britain: Harper Collins. Retrieved 2007-02-10.

Template:Food-stub

Template:WikiDoc Sources