What is less well known is that the phrase E pluribus unum first appeared in Moretum, a lyric poem outlining a recipe for a popular cheese and garlic spread. Moretum was probably written in the 1st century BC and is usually attributed to Virgil or one of his followers.
An English translation of the relevant section is:
“And when he has collected these [ingredients] he comes and sits him down beside the cheerful fire
And loudly for the mortar asks his wench. Then singly each of the garlic heads he strips…
On these he sprinkles grains of salt, and cheese is added, hard from taking up the salt.
The aforesaid herbs he now does introduce, and with his left hand beneath his hairy groin
Supports his garment; with his right he first breaks the reeking garlic with the pestle
Then everything he equally does rub in the mingled juice. His hand in circles move
Till by degrees they one by one do lose their proper powers
And out of many comes one single colour, not entirely green.”
Source: Appendix Vergiliana, c.20BC. Content on this page is © Alpha History 2019-23. Content may not be republished without our express permission. For more information please refer to our Terms of Use or contact Alpha History.