Roman eating and drinking

Romans ate their main meal (cena) around 4pm. This was actually the dinner, which could last till midnight, if guests were invited. In the morning, one ate very little - some water, a piece of bread, olives, some cheese. Lunch (prandium) consisted of yesterday's cold rests. One drank wine (vinum) at all times of the day, warm or cold, with a lot of water and sometimes with honey.

The dining-room (triclinium) contained three couches. Up to three people fit on each couch. Wives were only allowed to participate in a guest's meal since imperial time. The couches were arranged in the shape of a horseshoe, so that slaves could easily serve. Between the three couches there was a round table, on which the food was put one after the other. More tables for the beverages stood beside the couches. Since it was rather difficult to eat with the fingers while lying, every guest put a napkin in front of himself. It was also used in order to put the rests in it and to take them home. A custom that is foreign to other cultures is that the Romans threw everything that couldn't be eaten, e. g. bones and shells, on the ground, where it was swept together by a slave.

In summer, it was popular to eat outside. Many houses in Pompeii had stone couches at a particularly beautiful spot in the garden just for that purpose. One only ate while lying when the occasion was formal. If the meal was routine, one ate while sitting or even standing.