INTRODUCTION
The world of ancient civilisations is extremely complex. In this introduction we analyse the features that define them and the chronological framework in which they develop, explaining our reasons for selecting the four civilisations that we focus on throughout the book. The birth of both private gastronomy and food for public consumption are the two great events occurring during this period, and we dedicate a small section in order to clarify our basic concepts. Then we reiterate the key details of the previous period so as to be clear about our point of departure.
