Providing insights into classical Roman domestic economy, this lengthy Latin prose work by Cato the Elder is presented here in a modern translation by Andrew Dalby, in a detailed edition composed with the culinary historian in mind. It includes information on, among many other topics, planting and maintaining olive groves, supervising the staff, making various loaves or gruels out of grains, the manifold curative properties of cabbage, and getting good prices at market. Dalby is the author of Siren Feasts , a study of classical Greek cookery.