An Edible History of Humanity

In this chapter, Standage details the role of food in warfare. Weaponizing food is a technique that military strategists have used for centuries: “For most of human history, food was literally the fuel of war” (145). Roman writer Vegetius wrote in the fourth century A.D. that food was essential to success during battle. Armies required vast stores of food that were often transported by cart. The animals carrying these carts also required fodder. Military leaders who could solve the problem of food transport were more likely to be successful. Alexander the Great helped to streamline transport for his armies by requiring soldiers to carry their own supplies and limit what they packed. Foraging for food made up for their depleted stores.

However, this system prevented armies from venturing too far from rivers and coasts, where emergency supplies of food could be delivered. The Roman army therefore developed rules about sourcing food: soldiers would demand food from local communities in enemy territory, leaving the areas depleted and susceptible to takeover. During the American Revolutionary War of 1775-1783, British armies failed to consider the importance of food. They expected that loyalists would supply them with what they needed, but their reliance on loyalists caused their allies to turn against them.