About Apicius
Lived 100 – 200. Apicius was a chef, domestic worker cook and writer.
According to the Deipnosophistae of Athenaeus, Apicius is the name of a cook who found a way of packing fresh oysters to send to the emperor Trajan while he was on campaign in Mesopotamia around 115 AD. The information comes by way of the Epitome or summary of the Deipnosophists, since the full text of this part of Athenaeus's work does not survive. If the information is correct, this is the third known Roman food specialist who was named Apicius, the earliest being the luxury-loving Apicius of the 1st century BC.
The late Roman cookbook Apicius gives a recipe for preserving oysters, among other foods. This is possibly the only detail in which the cookbook has a relationship with historical information about any of the people named Apicius.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Apicius's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Apicius's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Apicius?
writer on cookery who found a way of packing fresh oysters in the second century CE
When was Apicius born?
Apicius was born in 100.
When did Apicius die?
Apicius died in 200.
What was Apicius's occupation?
Apicius was a chef, domestic worker cook and writer.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Apicius (2nd century AD)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Apicius. https://biography.guide/apicius-chef/
MLA: "Apicius." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/apicius-chef/.
Chicago: "Apicius." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/apicius-chef/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:17 UTC