[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Translation” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Buenard||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” background_color=”#ffffff” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ height=”450px” overflow-x=”scroll” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did the dinner of blessed Nasidienus please you?\u00a0<\/span>Yesterday, it was said to me, when I was seeking a dinner guest, that you were\u00a0<\/span>drinking there <\/span>since mid day.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn such a way that I n<\/span>ever had <\/span>a better time in life.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTell me, if it is not troublesome,\u00a0<\/span>what dish first satisfied your angry stomach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn the first place, a Lucanian boar: it was captured when a mild South Wind was blowing,\u00a0<\/span>so the host of the feast kept saying; around it were sharp\u00a0<\/span>turnips, lettuces, radishes \u2013 such things that\u00a0<\/span>provoke a weary stomach – parsnip((\u00a0 The literal meaning is \u201cskirret,\u201d but parsnip is an equivalent in modern cooking.)),<\/span> anchovies, and the dregs of Coan wine. (10)\u00a0<\/span>After these were removed, a properly dressed slave <\/span>with a purple napkin wiped off the maple table. Another slave\u00a0<\/span>picked up whatever was lying around useless and whatever\u00a0<\/span>could offend guests. Like an Attic maiden\u00a0<\/span>carrying the sacred items of Ceres, an Indian slave approached (15)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>bearing Caecuban wine, and a slave named Alcon approached bearing Chian wine without sea\u00a0<\/span>brine.\u00a0Here, the host said, \u2018Maecenas, if Alban or Falernian wine\u00a0<\/span>delights you more greatly than those wines brought, we have both.\u2019”<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHow miserable is wealth! Fundanius, but who was dining there with you, that you should have <\/span>such a good time? <\/span>I am anxious to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n (20)<\/span> \u201c<\/span>I was in the highest position, and next to me was Viscus of Thurii, and below me,\u00a0<\/span>if I remember, was Varius; with Servilius Balatro\u00a0<\/span>was Vibidius, whom Maecenas had brought as shadow.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0Nomentanus was above the host himself, Porcius below, <\/span>who was ridiculous for swallowing whole flat-cakes at once;\u00a0<\/span>(25)<\/span> Nomentanus was there for this purpose, so that if anything would go unnoticed, <\/span>he would point with his forefinger; for the rest of the crowd,\u00a0<\/span>I mean us, we eat birds, oysters, and fish, <\/span>which were concealing a juice far different from any we knew, <\/span>as in fact, it became immediately clear, when he offered to me eggs of a sparrow-fish and eggs\u00a0<\/span>of a flat fish<\/span>, <\/span>they remained untasted. (<\/span>30)<\/span> After this, he taught me that honey apples are red when they are chosen\u00a0<\/span>during a waning moon. What a difference this makes, from him\u00a0<\/span>you would have learned better. <\/span>Then Vibidius to Balatro says,\u00a0<\/span>\u2018Unless we drink him bankrupt, we will die unavenged,\u2019\u00a0<\/span>and he demands larger cups. Then, paleness\u00a0<\/span>(35)<\/span> spread over the face of the steward, he fearing nothing more\u00a0<\/span>than heavy drinkers, \u00a0because either because they slander more freely or\u00a0<\/span>because fiery wines dull the refined palate.\u00a0<\/span>Vibidius and Balatro pour whole wine-jars<\/span> into Allifanian drinking cups,\u00a0<\/span>with everyone else following suit: the guests of the lowest <\/span>couch did no harm to the flasks. (40)\u00a0<\/span>The lamprey is brought forth, outstretched in a shallow platter, between swimming shrimps.\u00a0<\/span>At this, the host said ‘This fish\u00a0<\/span>was captured pregnant, since it would be worse in its flesh after spawning.\u00a0<\/span>With these following ingredients, a sauce was mixed: (45) oil which <\/span>\u00a0the best cellar\u00a0<\/span>of Venafrum <\/span>pressed, garum from the juices of Spanish mackerel,\u00a0<\/span>five-year-old wine truly borne on this side of the sea (<\/span>while it is cooking — after it is cooked Chian wine suits so well, so that <\/span>nothing else is better) white pepper, and vinegar\u00a0<\/span>which turned the Methymnaean grape sour. <\/span>(50)<\/span> I first <\/span>showed how to cook green arugula<\/span> and bitter healing herbs <\/span>into the sauce;\u00a0<\/span>Curtillus would use unwashed sea-urchins, <\/span>since what the shell of the sea-urchin yields is better than the brine.\u2019\u00a0<\/span>Meanwhile, the suspended canopies made heavy ruin\u00a0<\/span>onto the dish, dragging as much black dust <\/span>(55)<\/span> as not<\/span> the North Wind rouses onto the Campanian fields.\u00a0<\/span>We feared worse, but after we perceived no danger,\u00a0<\/span>we collected ourselves; Rufus, with his head hung down, wept as if\u00a0<\/span>his son had an untimely death.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>That would have been the end, if wise Nomentanus had not lifted his friend in this way, saying\u00a0<\/span>(60)<\/span> \u2018Ah, Fortune, what god is crueler to us than you?\u00a0<\/span>You always rejoice when playing with human affairs!\u2019\u00a0<\/span>Varius was able, with difficulty, to restrain his laughter with a napkin. <\/span>Balatro, raising his nose at everything <\/span>was saying<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>\u2018This is the condition of living, and so\u00a0<\/span>(65)<\/span> Fame, which is equal to your labor, is never going to respond. <\/span>So I may be accepted lavishly are you\u00a0 twisted and tortured by every a<\/span>nxiety, lest the bread be burned, l<\/span>est a badly-seasoned sauce be served, a<\/span>nd so that all your slaves be properly dressed and ready to serve?\u00a0<\/span>(70)<\/span> Add these misfortunes and, if the canop<\/span>ies would fall\u00a0<\/span>as they did just now, or if a lackey having slipped with his foot would break a plate.\u00a0<\/span>But difficult matters are accustomed to reveal the intelligence of the guest, as of the leader, w<\/span>hile favorable conditions are <\/span>accustomed<\/span> to hide it.’\u00a0<\/span>To this Nasidienus said, \u2018May the gods give to you whatever you pray for (<\/span>75)<\/span> in good measure: you are such a good man and friendly guest\u2019\u00a0<\/span>and then he demanded his sandals. During that time, on the couch, you could see\u00a0<\/span>divided<\/span> whispers whizzing secretly by ear.\u201d \u201cI would prefer to have seen no games than these; but <\/span>come now and tell us the things which you laughed at next.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n (80) \u201cWhile Vibidius <\/span>was asking the boys whether the flask also was broken, <\/span>because the wine<\/span> had not been given when he was demanding it, t<\/span>here is laughter at fake subjects, with the help of Balatro,\u00a0<\/span>Nasidienus, you return with a changed brow, as if by skill y<\/span>ou will correct misfortune; (85) then<\/span>\u00a0the male servants followed, bearing on a large charger:\u00a0<\/span>the plucked-apart limbs of a crane, seasoned with much salt and not without flour,\u00a0<\/span>and the liver of a white goose which was fed fat figs\u00a0<\/span>and the plucked-off arms of rabbits, which are so much sweeter\u00a0<\/span>than if someone eats them with the loins. (90) Then we<\/span>\u00a0saw also placed before us blackbirds with the breasts boiled and wood-pigeons without hindquarters.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Sweet things, if only the host was not narrating their causes and natures;\u00a0<\/span>whom thus we fled, avenged\u00a0<\/span>in that we tasted nothing at all, as if\u00a0<\/span>Canidia, <\/span>worse than African serpents,\u00a0<\/span>had breathed on those things.\u2019”<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Commentary Title” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Buenard||||||||” header_2_font=”Buenard||||||||” header_2_font_size=”28px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Buenard||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ height=”450px” overflow-x=”scroll” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n (6)<\/b> Lucania was an ancient area of Southern Italy. The region was home to a vast amount of pastures, mountains, and forests. These environments supported bears, wolves, and most significantly, wild boars. (<\/span>Britannica<\/span><\/a> 1911). <\/span>Click here<\/span><\/a> to see a 4th-century Lucanian fresco of boar hunting.<\/span><\/p>\n (6)<\/b> The \u201cmild South Wind\u201d (<\/span>leni austro)<\/span><\/i> is a reference to <\/span>Auster<\/span><\/a> (Notos in Greek culture), the Roman god of southern wind. The name \u201cAuster\u201d comes from the wind\u2019s tendency to \u201cgather waters,\u201d resulting in a thick and humid wind. In Greek, the name Notos comes from the wind\u2019s tendency to \u201ccorrupt the air.\u201d (Isidore, trans. by Barney 2010, 275). Perhaps the humid southern wind gave the boar a strange taste?<\/span><\/p>\n (9)<\/b> The word \u201cdregs\u201d (<\/span>faecula)<\/span><\/i> refers to the sediment left at the bottom of a cup of unfiltered wine. In Greek culture, a game called <\/span>kottabos<\/span><\/i> would be played with these remains. The player would say the name of someone for whom they had love or lust, then throw the dregs from their kylix (cup). The intended target could be anything (such as a statue or vessel) or anyone. (<\/span>Donnelly<\/span><\/a>, 1999)<\/span><\/p>\n Example of a Greek kylix in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA 60.19). Notice the handles on the sides that are necessary to play kottabos.<\/span><\/p>\n (9-16)<\/b> In lines 9-16, three wines are served (Coan, Caecuban, and Chian) and two more (Alban and Falernian) are offered to Maecenas:<\/span><\/p>\n Coan<\/b> \u2013 a salty wine from the Greek Island of Kos. However, because of the sea water added to this wine, different regions were able to easily make knock-off versions. (Dalby 2002, 134-136)<\/span><\/p>\n Chian <\/b>\u2013 a red wine from the Greek island of Chios. Regarded as one of the finest wines by Pliny the Elder. (Dalby, 2002, 136)<\/span><\/p>\n Alban <\/b><\/a>\u2013 a famous red wine from the Alban Hills, less than 20 miles southeast of Rome. (Grout, 2004)<\/span><\/p>\n Falernian<\/b> <\/a>\u2013 a white wine from the region marked as \u201cFalciano del Massico.\u201d The wine was one of the most popular wines of ancient Rome, and one of the first to be exported from Italy. After it faded out of existence, a lawyer and professor at the University of Naples did extensive research on the wine and made the Falerno del Massico DOP region for Falerno wines. (Miquel 2018)<\/span><\/p>\n Caecuban<\/b> <\/a>\u2013 a bold wine that matured with time from the \u201cager Caecubus,\u201d which is located in the modern day Pontine Marshes (Grout 2004). This region is symbolized by the marker between the Alban Hills and Falciano del Massico.<\/span><\/p>\n A map showing the origins of the five wines offered at the dinner party.<\/span><\/p>\n (11)<\/b> The color purple (<\/span>purpureo)<\/span><\/i> signified status and wealth among the upper class of Roman society. Having a purple napkin showed this fact even more. Using such a precious cloth for cleaning remnants off of one\u2019s mouth would have showed extravagant wealth (<\/span>Schultz<\/span><\/a> 2013).<\/span><\/p>\n (14)<\/b> Ceres was the Roman goddess of agriculture. The slave who carries wine is thus carrying the product of Ceres. By being responsible for the harvest, she is also given credit for the existence of the wine (Geller 2018).<\/span><\/p>\n (20)<\/b> The seating positions of Roman dining were very specific. There were typically three couches set up in a \u201cU\u201d shape. Going counterclockwise around the \u201cU,\u201d they were regarded as the high couch, the middle couch, and the low couch. Each couch had space for three attendees to recline in, and each space had its own name as well. Going counterclockwise around the \u201cU\u201d shape again, each couch had a high, middle, and low position. These names positions did not necessarily dictate who was able to sit there, but certain positions were generally held by certain people (such as the lowest position of the middle couch being occupied by the guest of honor) (Schmitt-Pantel 2006).<\/span><\/p>\n The typical arrangement of couches at a Roman dinner party as well as the positions that guests would have occupied (Brown, 2012)<\/span><\/p>\n (30)<\/b> The act of picking apples during a \u201cwaning moon\u201d is most likely a reference to a real method. As Ludovic Dervin\u2019s tour at Mumm Napa describes, fruits have many characteristics at night time that are more desirable than during the day. Among these characteristics is the fact that the sugar levels drop, the skin becomes firm (and thus prevents unnecessary damage), and the acidity balances. This could be a reason to the reference to picking apples during a \u201cwaning moon.\u201d On top of this, harvesters tend to prefer picking fruits such as apples and grapes at night so they can escape the oppressive sun.<\/span><\/p>\n (50)<\/b> The bitter healing herb (<\/span>eruca<\/span><\/i>) is translated literally <\/span>common rocket<\/span><\/a> or arugula and is found in the Mediterranean region. In ancient Roman times, common rocket was used as a spice. Eaten raw with onions, it was considered to be an aphrodisiac (Hunemoorder 2006).<\/span><\/p>\n (52)<\/b> Sea urchins and their eggs were eaten as delicacies in Roman times (Hunemorder 2006).<\/span> Apicius<\/span><\/a> notes several recipes for sea urchins, which were often poached or boiled. It is also seen in a<\/span> mosaic<\/span><\/a> depicting the floor of a triclinium.<\/span><\/p>\n (53)<\/b> Canopies (<\/span>aulaea<\/span><\/i>) were hangings used to decorate the walls of Roman and Greek tents, houses, and palaces. Besides their decorative purposes, they also kept out rain or sun (Hurschmann 2006).<\/span><\/p>\n Painting of a convivium with canopies in the background, from the House of the Triclinium at Pompeii.<\/span><\/p>\n (55)<\/b> Aquilo, the North Wind is one of the four wind gods. He is the \u201cstormy wind\u201d that brings darkness and snow (H\u00fcnem\u00f6rder 2006).<\/span><\/p>\n (55)<\/b> Campania<\/span><\/a> is a region located in southern Italy. Modern day <\/span>
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![Campania<\/span><\/a> is a region located in southern Italy. Modern day <\/span>](\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Campania_in_Italy.svg\/1200px-Campania_in_Italy.svg.png\"){kind=link}