How to mellify a corpse, and other human stories of ancient science and superstition by Vicki Leon

This amusing compendium of wisdom and erroneous beliefs of the ancient Greeks and Romans is best read in short bites. To cut right to the chase and get to the mellifying bit: "It had long been common knowledge that the Babylonians embalmed with wax and honey. But the big news began when Alexander the Great died at age thirty-three. Always organized, Alex had left pre-need instructions to mellify his remains. The high sugar content of honey draws water from the cells and gradually dehydrates tissues. Thus, if honey happens to surround a corpse, under the right conditions it produces a drying action while also preserving. It seemed to work for Alex. His body survived a 1,000-mile road trip, a corpse-napping, and decades-long display in a glass coffin in Memphis, Egypt -- and he was still being called "lifelike" when last seen centuries later by Roman emperor Caracalla." Lots of fun stuff! 297 pp.