Veganism in Ancient Greece

In Ancient Greece, there were various forms of veganism, but they were never merely dietary choices. Instead, they were guided by philosophical or religious principles based on ethical values and the pursuit of a fairer and more virtuous life.

Author: Amanda Bautista Fernández

Ancient Greece cultivated a cradle of great thinkers and philosophers whose ideas left a lasting impact on the history of human thought. Among these prominent figures, some philosophers adopted veganism as an extension of their ethical principles and the pursuit of a virtuous life. In this article, we will explore veganism in ancient Greece and the lines of thought of some significant characters who advocated for a life free of violence toward animals.

Historical Context and Diet in Ancient Greece

To better understand the historical context in which veganism developed in ancient Greece, it is important to highlight some aspects of the society and culture of that time. Ancient Greece thrived between the eighth and sixth centuries BCE, a period of great intellectual and philosophical effervescence. Greek philosophers devoted their time to investigating the nature of the world and human life, leading to debates about ethics and morality.

The diet of most ancient Greeks was  primarily agrarian and based on the availability of food in each region. People commonly hunted and herded animals and consumed meat, especially from religious sacrifice. However, not all people did. Many people relied exclusively on agriculture and  gathering fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes for sustenance.

Vegan Philosophers in Ancient Greece

Given the prevalence of hunting, herding and religious sacrifice, vegan philosophers offered a novel perspective about the relationship between humans and animals. Their ethics toward animals were based on respect for all forms of life and an understanding of  moral equality between humans and animals. 

Pythagoras and some of his contemporaries taught that all animals – not just humans – had souls that were immortal and reincarnated after death. Additionally, killing and eating animals was thought to dirty the soul and prevent advancement to higher realities. This concept was known as the “transmigration of souls.” Because a human could become an animal at death and vice versa, these philosophers believed that killing and eating non-human animals was wrong. These thought leaders were some of the earliest advocates for ethical avoidance of meat.

In a society where animal sacrifice and meat consumption were common practices often associated with religion and festivities, the ideas of these vegetarian philosophers challenged cultural norms and entrenched traditions. Their beliefs in the importance of avoiding violence and cultivating compassion for all forms of life resonated with a minority seeking an ethical life consistent with their philosophical principles.

One of the most celebrated advocates of veganism in ancient Greece was the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras (c. 570 BCE – c. 495 BCE). Pythagoras and his followers believed in the importance of cultivating a virtuous and harmonious life guided by ethical and spiritual principles. One fundamental pillar of his philosophy was the belief in the transmigration of souls, the idea that human souls could reincarnate into animal bodies. 

This spiritual conception led Pythagoreans to consider that all living beings shared the same essence and were equal in their deepest essence. As a result, Pythagoreans advocated for ethics based on respect for all forms of life, including animals. He and his followers believed that non-violence toward animals was essential to maintain harmony and the purity of the soul. Consequently, he advocated for a vegan diet to avoid violence towards animals. 

In addition to Pythagoras, several of his followers in the Pythagorean school also embraced veganism. Among them, Empedocles (c. 490 BCE – c. 430 BCE) stood out. He, too, was a Greek philosopher and physician. Empedocles’ philosophy was based on the theory of the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. According to his view, all things in the universe were composed of the combination and interaction of these elements. Moreover, he considered love and hate as the primary forces acting in the cosmos, directing the union and separation of the elements. With his emphasis on balance and harmony in nature, his philosophy naturally meshed with veganism. Consuming meat disrupted this natural balance, as it involved violence towards animals and disturbed the order of nature. Therefore, the philosopher argued that by maintaining a plant-based diet humans could live in harmony with nature and avoid altering the cosmic equilibrium. In this way, his philosophy promoted compassion towards animals and respect for all forms of life.

Orphism in Ancient Greece and Its Relevance to Veganism

A similar movement  that had a significant influence in ancient Greece and its relation to veganism was known as Orphism.

This religious and philosophical movement advocated for a pure and ascetic way of life, promoting a deep connection with the natural world and an attitude of respect for all forms of life. Followers of Orphism also believed in the idea of the transmigration of souls.

Abstaining from meat was one of the main characteristics of Orphism. The Orphics believed that by doing so avoided contaminating their souls and allowed them to achieve higher spiritual purity.Followers considered a vegan diet to be a form of purification and a way to avoid violence toward animals.

Orphism also emphasized the importance of justice and compassion towards all beings – humans and animals alike. Practitioners viewed veganism as a manifestation of justice and respect towards animals, who shared the same cycle of life and death as humans.

Plato and Veganism

Plato was one of the most influential philosophers of ancient Greece and a student of Socrates. Born in Athens around 428/427 BCE, he is known for his vast philosophical work covering topics such as ethics, politics, metaphysics, and epistemology. His philosophy has had a lasting impact on Western thought, and its relationship with veganism can be understood through his ethical and moral ideas.

Although there is no evidence that Plato was vegan in the modern sense, his philosophy does contain elements that can be related to vegan ethics. In “The Republic,” Plato emphasizes the importance of justice and how it should extend not only to humans but also to animals. He argues that treating animals with cruelty and killing them for pleasure or convenience is an unjust practice and contrary to the pursuit of a virtuous and harmonious society.

Plato also proposes the notion that humans must cultivate virtues, such as wisdom and moderation, to achieve an ethical and morally responsible life. This idea relates to veganism in that it involves considering the ethical consequences of our actions, including those related to food and the treatment of animals.

While Plato did not directly advocate for veganism as a specific dietary practice, his ethical and moral reflections on justice and respect towards animals lay the groundwork for considering ethics in our food choices. His philosophy invites reflection on the impact our choices have on the well-being of animals and harmony with nature.

Ethical consideration

Although veganism in ancient Greece did not become a widespread practice throughout society, the influence of philosophers like Pythagoras, Empedocles, and others, including the philosophical ideas of the Orphism or Plato, left a mark on the ethical and moral thought of their time and beyond. Their emphasis on ethical consideration towards animals and the promotion of a more harmonious life with nature remains relevant today, inspiring future generations to consider the ethical and environmental impact of our dietary choices.

Their focus on respect for all forms of life serves as a valuable reminder of the importance of ethical consideration in our dietary choices and the relationship we maintain with the natural world. To learn more about veganism, check out the Vkind app and Vkind.com! 

Resources

Bernabé, A. (2019). Vegetarianismo en la Grecia Antigua. Mare Nostrum, 10(1), 31.53.

Dalby, A. (2003). Food in the Ancient World from A to Z, New York: Routledge

Dombrowski, D. (1984). The Philosophy of Vegetarianism, Massachusetts: University of Massachusetts Press.

Garnsey, P. (1999). Food and Society in Classical Antiquity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Newmyer, S. T. (2011). Animals in Greek and Roman Thought: A Sourcebook, New York: Routledge.

Sánchez, P. (2015). La idea del vegetarianismo en el mundo grecorromano y su traspaso al cristianismo primitivo.

Walters, K. S. y Portmess, L. (eds.) (1999). Ethical Vegetarianism: from Pythagoras to Peter Singer, Albany NY: State University of New York Press. 

Walters, K. S. y Portmess, L. (eds.) (2001). Religious Vegetarianism: from Hesiod to the Dalai Lama, Albany NY: State University of New York Press.