Melons were popular in Rome, especially cantaloupes, honeydews, casabas and Persian melons, which are all sweet melons, sometimes called "muskmelons" because of their beautiful fragrance. The word "musk", like the melons themselves, is of Persian origin. Many muskmelons have skin covered with a raised, textured network (cantaloupe and Santa Claus melons are examples of these so-called netted melons); others have smooth skins (casaba and honeydew melons are examples). From the Near East, they spread to Europe. Muskmelons were known to the Greeks in the 3rd century BC; described as something new in the 1st century AD by Roman naturalist Pliny; but discovered in Egyptian hieroglyphics in 2400 BC.
The Greek physician Galen wrote of the melon's medicinal virtues in the 2nd century AD, and Romans of the 3rd century used his directions for growing them. The Roman emperor Tiberius was apparently so fond of them he built the world's first greenhouse so he could enjoy them year-round. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus, also a fan of the melon, planted them in the New World in 1494. See also cantaloupe, muskmelon, watermelon.
From The Food Encyclopedia by Jacques Rolland and Carol Sherman
