閱讀測驗 In a painting dating back to 79 CE in Pompeii’s House of the Vettii, the Roman god Bacchus stands overlooking his vineyard, where plump purple grapes cascade from golden vines. This artwork celebrates what was already, by then, one of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious crops—the grape. But one variety in particular would capture imaginations and palates for millennia to come: the Muscat of Alexandria. This ancient grape variety, believed to have originated in Egypt’s Nile Delta, was so prized that it became a luxury item along the Silk Road. Its distinctive aromatic qualities and large, golden berries made it the choice of emperors and caliphs. The Muscat’s journey from Egypt to the courts of Europe and Asia was fraught with challenges.
The delicate berries could easily spoil during long sea voyages, and early attempts to cultivate them outside their native climate often ended in failure. It wasn’t until the development of sophisticated irrigation systems and the understanding of microclimates that successful cultivation spread beyond the Mediterranean basin. During the Byzantine Empire, these grapes commanded extraordinary prices, with a single bunch selling for what would amount to $3,000 in today’s currency. The Muscat became such a symbol of prosperity that Byzantine emperors had their dining halls adorned with golden grape motifs, and diplomatic gifts often included carefully packed Muscat vines. Some wealthy merchants even maintained special “grape houses”—climate-controlled rooms where the precious fruit could be stored for months after harvest. The grape’s presence at a feast was considered so essential to demonstrating one’s social standing that some hosts would reuse the same bunch multiple times, displaying but never serving it.
The grape’s influence extended far beyond the dining table. Its distinctive oval shape inspired architectural elements in both Islamic and Christian buildings, appearing in capitals of columns and decorative friezes. The fruit became a recurring motif in religious art, symbolizing divine abundance and spiritual transformation. Even today, we can see this legacy in the ornate grape-cluster designs adorning many medieval European churches and in traditional Middle Eastern pottery patterns.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A
To explain techniques of growing grapes in ancient times.
B
To describe the religious significance of grapes.
C
To trace the historical importance of a specific grape variety.
D
To compare different luxury foods in ancient times.
Which of the following terms are used to refer to the Muscat of Alexandria? a. the choice of emperors b. the precious fruit c. divine abundance d. this ancient grape variety e. the distinctive oval shape
