Have you walked through an antique store and looked at the
pretty little silver or clear/colored glass “salts” and wondered what these
were used for?
Well here you go . . . During the Roman Empire salt was a
commodity and it was usually used to preserve food. There were two ways to obtain salt – the sea
and mines – both of which were difficult therefore creating an alluring desire
for salt. It is believed that the Roman army was paid for a job well done with
salt – hence the term “worth their salt”.
Some believe they were paid great sums to they could purchase this
commodity which was quite pricey.
In these ancient times, “salt” roads were built to transport
salt from the sea or mines to cities.
Many cities gained great status by the amount of salt they
produced. Salzburg, Austria had many
mines and was named “the city of salt”. Salz is German for salt.
In the Middle Ages, it was common for the everyone to eat
together at a 30' foot table. The salt
cellar was placed mid-way down the table and used as a type of ranking system.
If you were close to the “head” of the table you were “above the salt” and
could partake. If you were seated “below
the salt” you were not allowed to use the salt.
Salt was so valuable that it could even be used as payment
for slaves during the late Roman Empire.
In the Bible, “you are the Salt of the Earth” is used as a
metaphor and meant that someone was of value to society. We still use this phrase today!
Salt had power.
Cities producing salt seemed to be more affluent. Some cities charged taxes for the use of
their roads to transport salt.
While salt had a lot of influence over in Europe, the United
States also had its share of “salt” incidences.
During the Revolutionary War, salt was intercepted by the British which
interfered with the ability to preserve food.
Salt brine was used as a form of payment to the soldiers in the War of
1812.
Salt cellars usually had lids to keep the salt dry. “Open salts” were mainly used on the tables
by wealthy families from the Middle Ages through WWII. They were usually made out of silver or
glass. Sometimes there was a master salt
that would be passed down the table to the worthy guests or family members.
So the next time you visit an antique store, be sure to
cherish the history of salt and ask yourself “where would you be sitting during
meals --below or above the salt?”
Every year on the 4th of July, our nation gathers to celebrate our Independence. Whether you’re participating in the Peachtree Road Race, cooking out with friends and family or taking in a fireworks show, make sure your plans this year include a trip to the Queen!
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