Dinner Parties - Cena

Question 1

Cena

Answer 1

-main meal of day, evening, after work
-dinner parties for wealthy Romans- convivium
-social occasion to entertain guests, food, drink
-socialise with friends, show off wealth and promote social- political status

Question 2

Development in time

Answer 2

-in early Republic (509-280BCE) - simple
-later (late republic 133-27BCE) became more lavish (influenced by Greek sympsion)
-women initially excluded, but from imperial period (27BCE) and onwards allowed to attend

Question 3

Seating and organisation

Answer 3

-hosts and guests- triclinium
-each couch served 3 people- summus, medius, imus
-medius- most important guests, others by seniority
-one or more tables
-relaxed positioning- conversation

Question 4

Types of food

Answer 4

-early Republic (simple): wheat in form of porridge, vegetables
-later, 3 courses: gustatio (starter), appetisers (salad, mushrooms etc), muslum (wine, honey)
-mensae primae (main course): up to 7 dishes, meat, fish, poultry with sauces and vegetables.- after would make offerings to lares
-slaves replace table for mensae secundae (desert): cake, fruit, nuts

Question 5

After cena

Answer 5

-entertainment in forum of comissato (drinking party)
-musicians, dances
-> it contained 3 couches: summus, medius, imus around one or more tables