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κρέας (τό)

ΚΡΕΑΣ

LEXARITHMOS 326

The word κρέας, with a lexarithmos of 326, represents a fundamental concept in ancient Greek vocabulary, referring to flesh, both of animals as food and of the human body. Its significance spans from daily sustenance and sacrificial rituals to medical anatomy and philosophical discussions concerning material nature.

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Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, κρέας (to) primarily signifies "flesh, meat," referring to both the flesh of animals intended for consumption and the flesh of the human body. It is one of the oldest and most basic words in the Greek language, with widespread use from the Homeric epics onwards. Its primary meaning concerns the edible part of an animal, often in contrast to bones or skin.

In the Classical period, meat was a staple component of the diet, especially during festivals and sacrifices, where its consumption held both social and religious dimensions. The word is also employed in medical texts, such as those by Hippocrates, to describe the muscles and tissues of the body, highlighting its anatomical importance.

The term retains its core meaning throughout the history of the Greek language, from Ancient and Koine Greek to Byzantine and Modern Greek. Its simplicity and directness make it indispensable for describing material substance and nutritional necessity.

Etymology

krea- (Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language)

The word κρέας belongs to the oldest stratum of the Greek lexicon, with no clear exogenous correlations within Greek itself. The root krea- is fundamental for describing flesh and the edible part of animals. The absence of easily identifiable pre-Greek or borrowed elements suggests its indigenous nature and antiquity within the language.

From the root krea-, numerous compound words and derivatives are formed, describing various aspects of the processing, consumption, or storage of meat. These include nouns denoting professions (e.g., κρεοπώλης, 'butcher'), actions (e.g., κρεοκοπία, 'meat-cutting'), or qualities (e.g., κρεοφάγος, 'meat-eating'), all retaining the central meaning of flesh.

Main Meanings

Animal flesh as food — The edible part of an animal, often distinguished from bones or skin.
Human body flesh — Anatomical reference to the muscles and tissues of the body.
Meat for sacrifice — The portion of an animal offered to the gods or consumed in religious ceremonies.
Raw meat — Often implying unprocessed or uncooked meat.
Figurative use — Rarely, to denote material or bodily substance in contrast to spirit.
Specific type of meat — Occasionally used for particular kinds, though usually requiring further specification (e.g., βοῦς for beef, ὗς for pork).

Word Family

krea- (root of the noun κρέας)

The root krea- forms the core of a word family centered around the concept of flesh and meat, whether as food or as an anatomical element. This root is Ancient Greek and fundamental, without apparent exogenous influences. Its derivatives describe various aspects of humanity's relationship with meat: its processing, consumption, sale, and anatomical position. Each member of the family illuminates a different facet of the original meaning of meat.

κρεάδιον τό · noun · lex. 260

A diminutive of κρέας, meaning "a small piece of meat." It is used to denote smaller portions or cuts, emphasizing quantity or size. Attested in texts such as those by Aristophanes.

κρεοπώλης ὁ · noun · lex. 1313

The seller of meat, a butcher. This compound word combines κρέας with πωλέω ("to sell"), denoting the profession of a meat merchant. It appears in texts from the Classical and Hellenistic periods.

κρεοκοπέω verb · lex. 1170

Meaning "to cut meat." Derived from κρέας and κόπτω ("to cut"), it describes the act of carving meat, whether for cooking or sale. Used by authors such as Aristophanes.

κρεοφάγος ὁ / — · adjective / noun · lex. 969

One who eats meat, carnivorous. A compound of κρέας and φάγος ("eater"), it describes both animals and humans with a meat-eating diet. Mentioned in texts by Aristotle and Plutarch.

κρεοφαγία ἡ · noun · lex. 710

The act or habit of consuming meat. A derivative of κρεοφάγος, it denotes the dietary practice. It is often found in philosophical and medical discussions about diet.

κρεοδότης ὁ · noun · lex. 777

One who gives or provides meat. A compound of κρέας and δότης ("giver"), it implies a distributor or purveyor of meat, often in the context of sacrifice or a meal.

κρεοθήκη ἡ · noun · lex. 240

A container or place for storing meat, a larder or meat-safe. A compound of κρέας and θήκη ("case, box"), it describes the location where meat is kept.

κρεοκοπία ἡ · noun · lex. 376

The act of cutting meat. A noun derived from κρεοκοπέω, it describes the action of carving meat, whether for culinary or other purposes.

Philosophical Journey

The word κρέας consistently appears throughout Greek literature, from its earliest forms to the present day, reflecting the dietary, religious, and scientific practices of each era.

8th-7th C. BCE

Homeric Epics

In the Iliad and Odyssey, meat is a primary component of the heroes' diet, often roasted on spits after sacrifices or hunting. Its consumption symbolizes valor and prosperity.

5th-4th C. BCE

Classical Greek

In tragic plays (e.g., Euripides) and historical accounts (e.g., Herodotus, Thucydides), meat is mentioned both as food and in relation to sacrifices and rituals. Plato, in the Republic, discusses diet and health, where meat holds its place.

5th-4th C. BCE

Hippocratic Texts

In medical literature, κρέας acquires anatomical significance, describing the muscles and tissues of the body. Precise descriptions of flesh are central to understanding human physiology and pathology.

3rd C. BCE - 3rd C. CE

Hellenistic and Roman Periods

In Koine Greek, the word retains its literal meaning. In the Septuagint, meat is frequently mentioned in dietary laws and sacrifices, while in the New Testament, though less common, it maintains the sense of flesh as material substance.

4th-15th C. CE

Byzantine Era

In Byzantine literature, κρέας continues to be used with the same meanings, both in daily life and in theological texts referring to the material nature of humans or animals.

Present Day

Modern Greek

The word «κρέας» remains unchanged in Modern Greek, preserving its original meaning as food and as a reference to flesh.

In Ancient Texts

Selected passages that highlight the variety of uses for the word κρέας in ancient literature.

«καὶ ῥάβδους μὲν ἔχον, ἐν δὲ κρέα οὐκ ἔχον»

"And they had staffs, but they had no meat."

Homer, Odyssey 9.300

«τὸ δὲ κρέας τὸ ἀπὸ τῶν θυσιῶν»

"the meat from the sacrifices"

Herodotus, Histories 2.45.2

«τὰ δὲ κρέα ἀπὸ τῶν ὀστῶν ἀποσπῶνται»

"the flesh is torn from the bones"

Hippocrates, On Joints 46

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΚΡΕΑΣ is 326, from the sum of its letter values:

Κ = 20

Kappa

Ρ = 100

Rho

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Α = 1

Alpha

Σ = 200

Sigma

= 326

Total

20 + 100 + 5 + 1 + 200 = 326

326 decomposes into 300 (hundreds) + 20 (tens) + 6 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΚΡΕΑΣ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	326	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	2	3+2+6=11 → 1+1=2 — Duality, the distinction between flesh and spirit, or between living and dead.
Letter Count	5	5 letters — Pentad, the number of life and material existence.
Cumulative	6/20/300	Units 6 · Tens 20 · Hundreds 300
Odd/Even	Even	Feminine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	K-R-E-A-S	Kreas Represents Essential Ancient Substance (interpretive)
Grammatical Groups	2V · 0S · 3C	2 vowels (E, A), 0 semivowels, 3 consonants (K, R, S). The ratio suggests a word with a robust, material substance.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Mars ♂ / Gemini ♊	326 mod 7 = 4 · 326 mod 12 = 2

Isopsephic Words (326)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (326) as κρέας, but from different roots, highlighting the coincidences of arithmosophy.

αἰθαλέος

"burning, smoky." An adjective describing the intensity or effect of fire, in contrast to the material substance of meat.

δίαιτα

"way of life, diet." This word is directly related to the consumption of food, including meat, and suggests an interesting numerical coincidence between sustenance and lifestyle.

κέρας

"horn." Another noun referring to an animal part, but with a hard, bony texture, in contrast to the soft flesh of meat.

μέλισμα

"song, melody." A word belonging to the realm of music and art, offering a poetic contrast to the material nature of meat.

παιδάριον

"little child." A common diminutive denoting a human being at a young age, underscoring the randomness of isopsephic words.

περίνοια

"prudence, circumspection." An abstract concept related to intellectual capacity, in complete contrast to the tangible, material nature of meat.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 49 words with lexarithmos 326. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.

Sources & Bibliography

Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
Homer — Odyssey.
Herodotus — Histories.
Hippocrates — On Joints.
Plato — Republic.
Aristotle — History of Animals.
Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.

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