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The writings of ancient Greece and Rome and of biblical Israel are filled with descriptions of food. The narratives in Greek and Roman mythology and poetry often describe violent and repulsive behavior associated with food. The biblical narratives, in contrast, tend to view food in a respectful and purposeful manner. We compare and contrast some of these stories with regard to the specific themes: restraint, respect, purpose, and order. In each comparison, patterns of eating described in biblical laws and narratives will be contrasted with those emerging from Graeco-Roman stories and customs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stories of Zeno and Job are used to analyze the concept of rational suicide, the death of Terry Schiavo and the attendant collision between the right to die and the right to life movements in America. Zeno stubs his toe, interprets this minor event as a sign from the gods that he should depart and holds his breath until he dies. Job, in contrast, meets extreme losses with a deepening of his faith, and affirms his life. The inherent sense of life meaning and life value provided by biblical religion is contrasted with the relativity of life value so endemic to Zeno's behavior. This contrast is applied to the debate regarding the life and death of Terry Schiavo. Implications are drawn for medical ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]