[49] Stili alimentari, crescita dei consumi, crisi delle risorse e guerra in Platone (Repubblica, 2, 369a-374a)

While ancient societies, often grappling with food scarcity or insecurity,celebrated abundance (as can be seen, in Greek world, in Homer, the ‘popular’ tradition in Greek comedy, and partly Athenian democracy), Greek political thought, particularly among the elite, viewed overindulgence in food as a threat to both individuals and the state. It was seen as a sign of weakness and a corrupting influence. However, concerns about the environmental implications of excessive consumption, or its sustainability, were rarely expressed. A notable exception is Plato’s Republic, 2, 369a-374a, where he acknowledges that different diets have varying impacts on the environment, anticipating the modern concept of the ecological footprint and the link between resource scarcity and interstate conflict.