What were they?
Banquets were a key part of the Romans' social life and allowed them to celebrate, socialise, and watch entertainment within the privacy of their own homes.
They were a way in which one could display wealth and status through expensive food and entertainment.
Banquets could come in several different forms, these include;
(i) Private banquets- these took place within the house and were very exclusive.
(ii) Public banquets- these were offered to all the inhabitance of the city.
(iii) Civic feasts- these were also public and were offered to the masses.
Private banquets
- Private banquets were held in a room known as the triclinium.
- The triclinium translates to, "three" and, "couches" and is what we would consider to be a dining room.
- The triclinium is adequately named because the room itself was set up with three couches around there walls, creating a U shape. In the middle of the couches was a table that would have been accessible to all of the diners.
- These couches were a core part of wealthy Roman banquets as it was where guests would recline while they feasted.
- This was very important to
the whole experience of private banquets because it was a sign of wealth, privilege, and status.
- The couches were predominately made out of wood but those who were very wealthy could, instead, have ones that were made out of ivory or bronze.
- The architecture and design of Roman villas help to emphasise the importance that was placed on dining and feasting in ancient Rome.
Decoration
- The triclinium was a highly decorated room and was full of extravagant and aesthetically pleasing works of art.
- One of the most popular pieces of artwork found in the triclinium were mosaics.
- This particular mosaic discovered in an ancient Roman triclinium is not only rich with colour and intricate patterns but also depicts some of the most famous stories of the ancient world.
- Although fragmented, there are still a few individuals who can be identified.
- The right-hand side of the mosaic shows the very well-known image of Cupid, surrounded by animals and acanthus foliage.
- The purpose of mosaics and other artworks, such as statues, were symbolic and aided in the creation of an extravagant environment displaying optimum wealth.
Conclusion
Private banquets allowed the societal elite to display their wealth and privilege. The feasts were not just centred around food, as one might imagine a dinner party to be, but an experience. The triclinium itself and its highly decorative nature aid in this individual outward display of wealth.
N.B it is important to note that it was not only the wealthy who could host private dinner banquets. The poor also held such events but on a much smaller scale and without the extravagance found among the elite.
Comments