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Donkey milk is not a modern trend product. There are accounts dating back to ancient Greece in which donkey milk is mentioned – as a rare food and in connection with personal care. However, how the people of antiquity viewed it was based on the ideas of their time, not on today's knowledge. In this post, you will learn what is known about donkey milk in ancient Greece and how you can interpret these sources today.
Donkeys in the everyday life of the Greeks
In ancient Greece, donkeys were primarily working animals. They carried loads over rocky mountain paths, worked in agriculture, and transported goods between villages and cities. Donkeys were hardy, sure-footed, and coped well with the dry climate and sparse fodder.
Milk played a different role in the Greek diet than it does today. It was drunk less often; more frequently, it was processed into cheese. Sheep and goats provided the majority. Donkey milk was an exception: a donkey gives only a small amount of milk, and her foal must be fed first. Even back then, donkey milk was probably a rare and highly valued commodity.
What the ancient texts report
According to tradition, Hippocrates, one of the most famous physicians of antiquity, is said to have mentioned donkey milk in his writings. Later authors from the Greek and Roman periods also mention it in connection with nutrition and personal care.
For interpretation, it is important to note:
- Ancient texts are not evidence. They show what people believed at the time and how they lived. They say nothing about the actual effects of a food.
- The teachings of the time were fundamentally different. The ancient conception of the body and nutrition was based on theories that have little in common with today's nutritional science.
- Much of the information has only been passed down indirectly. We know many texts only from copies, quotations, or later summaries.
That is why we tell the story of donkey milk as a cultural history – not as a promise.
Donkey milk as a luxury good of the upper class
Because donkey milk was only available in small quantities, it was reserved primarily for wealthy households. Those who could keep donkeys and have them milked possessed a scarce commodity. This is also where the accounts of beauty care stem from: donkey milk is said to have been part of beauty rituals to keep the skin soft and supple. Similar stories are known from later Rome and, especially famously, from Egypt around Cleopatra.
You can read more about this development over the centuries in the post Donkey Milk in History: From Egypt to Europe.
Why donkey milk is rare then and now
The basics have changed little since antiquity. In addition to what her foal drinks, a donkey gives only about 1 to 2 liters of milk per day. It is milked by hand or in small quantities. Furthermore, a donkey does not have a foal every year, and without a foal, there is no milk. We explain this in detail in the post Why is donkey milk so rare?.
| Aspect | Antiquity | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Role of the donkey | primarily a pack and working animal | farm and herd animal, also for milk |
| Production | by hand, in small quantities | by hand or in small quantities |
| Shelf life | only usable fresh | deep-frozen or freeze-dried |
| Evaluation | according to the ideas of the time | food law and laboratory analyses |
What research examines today
Today, science is interested in donkey milk primarily because of its composition. Donkey milk contains about 1.5 to 1.9 g of protein per 100 ml, usually less than 1 g of fat, and about 6 to 7 g of lactose. It also naturally contains lysozyme and lactoferrin. We have summarized the questions that researchers are exploring on the page Donkey Milk in Research. The same applies here: an analysis of the composition is not evidence of effects in the body.
What remains of the ancient tradition
What remains is a long cultural history. Donkey milk has accompanied people around the Mediterranean for thousands of years – as a rare food, as a status symbol, and as part of beauty rituals. This history makes donkey milk so fascinating for many. However, no promise can be derived from it. Anyone who tries donkey milk today enjoys it for what it is: a mild, slightly sweet food with a long history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was donkey milk drunk in ancient Greece?
Accounts mention donkey milk in connection with nutrition and personal care. Sheep and goat milk were more common, usually processed into cheese.
Did Hippocrates recommend donkey milk?
According to tradition, Hippocrates is said to have mentioned donkey milk. Such statements reflect the ideas of antiquity and are not evidence according to today's knowledge.
Why was donkey milk a luxury good in antiquity?
Because a donkey gives only a small amount of milk and must first provide for her foal. The small quantity made donkey milk a scarce and coveted commodity.
What do we know about donkey milk today?
Today, its composition is primarily examined: protein, fat, lactose, minerals, as well as naturally occurring substances such as lysozyme and lactoferrin.
Donkey milk is a food and not a medicine. For health questions, please consult your doctor.
