[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Petronius, Satyricon 65-66 ” text_orientation=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” background_color=”#7db3e0″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” content_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” content_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” content_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” subhead_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” subhead_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” subhead_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” content_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” content_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” content_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” content_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” content_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” content_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” content_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” content_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” content_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” content_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” content_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” content_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” button_one_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” button_one_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” button_one_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” button_two_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” button_two_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” button_two_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” box_shadow_style_image=”preset6″ box_shadow_blur_image_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_horizontal_button_one_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_button_one_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_button_one_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_button_one_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_horizontal_button_two_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_button_two_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_button_two_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_button_two_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_style=”preset5″ text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
translation and commentary by Jack Thibault (’26)<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ inner_shadow=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Trans. Title” _builder_version=”4.16″ 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 admin_label=”Translation” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ 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
LXV\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After this delightful scene we got desserts, and even the thought of it makes me shudder if you can believe me. A fat chicken was served to each guest instead of a thrush and around it were goose eggs which looked like they had little hats, which Trimalchio, our host, eagerly wished that we eat, saying that the chickens were boneless. Meanwhile, a man banged on the big doors of the dining room while another clothed in a white robe entered with a large crowd. I was terrified, thinking that a senator had come. I immediately attempted to stand up and lower my toes onto the ground. Agamemnon laughed at my trembling and said, \u201cAt ease, you most stupid man. It’s only Habinnas, an official and a stone mason, who makes the best graves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This speech encouraged me, and I returned to reclining and watched Habinnas enter with great admiration. However, he was already drunk and placed his hands on his wife\u2019s shoulders. Wearing several fancy hats and perfume trickling down his forehead into his eyes, he sat himself at the seat of honor and immediately demanded wine and warm water. Trimalchio, delighted by this funny spectacle, requested a larger cup for himself and asked Habinnas how he was doing. He replied \u201cWe had all we wanted except you; for my eyes were here.\u00a0And my goodness it was good. Scissa was holding an elegant nine-day banquet for her poor slave, whom she had manumitted at his death. Also, I\u2019m pretty sure, she\u2019s having great trouble with the tax collectors, for the dead man was estimated at 50,000. Nevertheless, it was fun, even though we were forced to pour half the drinks over his bones.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n LXVI<\/span><\/p>\n Nevertheless, Trimalchio asked, \u201cWhat did you eat at the dinner?\u201d He replied \u201cI will say if I will be able, for I have such a good memory, that I often forget my name. Anyway, during the first course, we had a pig adorned with sausage and blood sauce and the best well-made giblets and of course, beets, and extra whole wheat bread which I like over white because it makes one strong, and when I go to the bathroom, I do not cry. The next course was a cold pastry with warm honey excellently infused with Spanish wine on top. Yeah, honestly, from the pastry dish, I ate no small amount, and I got the honey all over myself. Around it was chickpeas and lupine, with various nuts and an apple for everyone. I however took two and look I have them tied in my napkin; for if I do not bring any gift to my slave, I will have a problem. My wife reminds me well. We had a little bit of bear in front of us, which when foolish Scintilla tasted made her nearly vomit her intestines; however, I ate more than a pound of it, and it tasted like a boar. After all, if a bear can eat a human, why can\u2019t a human eat a bear?<\/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″ 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=”4.27.0″ 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 The \u201c<\/span>delightful scene<\/b>\u201d refers to the passage right before. The literal translation of <\/span>humanitatem <\/span><\/i>would be humanity or kindness. However, in this context, the narrator is being sarcastic, since the scene before was not pleasant at all. In the scene, Trimalchio\u2019s dog runs amok, breaks decorations, and even causes some guests to be burned with oil. (Petronius <\/span>Satyricon<\/span><\/i>, 64).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A <\/span>thrush<\/b> refers to a small bird, such as a nightingale, which is common in Europe. This bird seems to have been one that the Romans would often eat since it is also mentioned by the poet Martial in his work (Martial <\/span>Epigrams<\/span><\/i>, 7.20 verse 6). Click here<\/a> for an image of a turdus pilaris<\/i>, a thrush native to Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n The \u201cgoose eggs which looked like they had little hats<\/b>\u201d (ova anserina pilleata<\/i>) can be understood through Smith\u2019s commentary: \u201cThe use of this phrase here\u2026 shows that\u2026 it must have been a technical term. Perhaps it refers to some covering to keep the eggs warm. If, however, as most commentators have assumed, it is applied to some way of cooking eggs, Sullivan\u2019s eggs in pastry hoods\u2019 looks quite possible\u201d (Smith 1975, 181). The pilleus <\/i>was an unbrimmed, pointed cap worn by freed slaves, so there may have been an additional connotation of freedom. <\/span>Click here<\/a> for an image of a marble relief from the 1st century BCE showing recently freed slaves wearing pilleus <\/i>hats.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The \u201cman<\/b>\u201d refers to a lictor<\/i>, which was an ancient Roman bodyguard to men who held imperium. <\/i>Originally there were 12 of them, appointed by Romulus, and each would hold rods of bundled sticks called the fasces<\/i>. Lictors <\/i>were able to carry out capital punishment. Click here<\/a> for an image of a bronze statuette of a Roman lictor holding the fasces.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The other man \u201c<\/span>clothed in white<\/b>\u201d refers to the \u201c<\/span>comissator<\/span><\/i>,\u201d which is translated as a reveler. Sedgwick\u2019s commentary can provide insight into why a reveler was there: \u201cIt was customary for <\/span>revelers thus<\/span> to burst in\u201d (Sedgwick 1967, 123).\u00a0\u00a0Additionally, \u201cclothed in white\u201d refers to the <\/span>veste alba<\/span><\/i> which Smith explains: \u201cHabinnas wears white, the appropriate colour for a festive occasion, even one in honour of the dead\u201d (Smith 1975, 182).<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>Senator<\/b>\u201d is used here instead of the word <\/span>praetor<\/span><\/i>, an official in Rome who could administer justice. <\/span>Praetors<\/span><\/i> had lictors and wore purple togas. During the empire, they oversaw paying for the public games. I felt like the word senator makes more sense to modern audiences while keeping the original text’s context.\u00a0(<\/span>Kierdof 2006)<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Agamemnon<\/b> is one of the other guests at Trimalchio\u2019s dinner party, elsewhere identified as a teacher of rhetoric (Petronius, <\/span>Satyricon <\/span><\/i>3-5).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>an official<\/b>\u201d refers to <\/span>sevir<\/span><\/i>: \u201ca member of a board or college consisting of six men, a sexvir. One of the presidents of the six divisions of Roman knights.\u201d (<\/span>Lewis and Short<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>several fancy hats<\/b>\u201d\u00a0 translates \u201c<\/span>aliquot coronis<\/span><\/i>.\u201d I felt that this phrase would fit better for modern audiences than the literal meaning, \u201csome crowns\/garlands.\u201d Sedgwick explains that \u201cgarlands were worn at drinking bouts\u201d (Sedgwick 1967, 123).<\/span><\/p>\n The \u201c<\/span>seat of honor<\/b>\u201d refers to \u201c<\/span>praetorio loco<\/span><\/i>,\u201d literally \u201cplace for the <\/span>praetor<\/span><\/i>.\u201d Because I did not use the term <\/span>praetor<\/span><\/i> earlier, I used this more general phrase for the special seating spot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>My goodness<\/b>\u201d refers to \u201c<\/span>mehercules<\/span><\/i>\u201d or \u201cBy Hercules!\u201d This is a colloquial exaggeration, and \u201cmy goodness\u201d is a common modern-day phrase providing the same feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Scissa<\/b> refers to the host of the banquet that Habinnas had attended before Trimalchio\u2019s. (Petronius <\/span>Satyricon<\/span><\/i> 65).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>The <\/span>nine-day banquet<\/b> was the <\/span>Novendialem<\/span><\/i>. Smith\u2019s commentary states that \u201cafter nine days of mourning, offerings were made to the spirit of the dead person, and a banquet was held for the mourners\u201d (Smith 1975, 183).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>The <\/span>tax collectors<\/b> were called in Latin <\/span>vicensimarii<\/span><\/i>, or \u201cthe collectors of the <\/span>vicesima<\/span><\/i>.\u201d (Smith 1975, 184). The <\/span>vicesima <\/span><\/i>was \u201ca tax of five per cent. Every Roman, when he manumitted a slave, had to pay to the state a tax of one-twentieth of this value, whence the tax was called <\/span>vicesima manumissionis<\/span><\/i>\u201d (Smith 1875).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>50,000<\/b> – The currency used is not stated, however I believe it is referring to sesterces since Cohen states that a doctor \u201cwas able to pay 50,000 sesterces for his freedom\u201d (Cohen <\/span>Roman Inequality<\/span><\/i>, 26).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>pour half the drinks<\/b>\u201d – <\/span>The act of pouring wine out for a dead friend was honorable and common in ancient Rome. They even had some tombs designed so that wine could be poured into a cup placed on a statue’s hand on the lid of the sarcophagus and then flow into a hole and seep into the bones. This custom of honoring the dead is where the phrase \u201cpouring one out\u201d comes from. (Bell, \u201cLibations and the Ancient History of Pouring One Out\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>[LXVI]<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>blood sauce<\/b>\u201d – Smith states that the \u201c<\/span>sangunculum<\/span><\/i>\u201d was \u201cpossibly a blood sauce rather than a blood sausage or black pudding\u201d (Smith 1975, 184).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>extra<\/b>\u201d – I translated the \u201c<\/span>de suo sibi<\/span><\/i>\u201d as \u201cextra\u201d because that sounds better than saying \u2018on its own for itself\u2019 and still providing the same meanings.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Spanish wine<\/b>\u201d – Wines imported from Spain were common in Rome after Augustus began planting vineyards there. Through their road systems, the wine was easily able to be carried into Rome (O\u2019Neill, Wines in Ancient Rome).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>tied in my napkin<\/b>\u201d – This is not the only occurrence in Roman literature of someone putting food into their napkin to take it back home. Martial 7.20 is a poem stating that a man stole lots of food and put it in his \u201c<\/span>mappa<\/span><\/i>\u201d and then went home to sell it the next day (Martial <\/span>Epigrams<\/span><\/i>, 7.20).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201c<\/span>My wife<\/b>\u201d – <\/span>Smith states that \u201c<\/span>domina mea<\/span><\/i>\u201d (literally \u201cmy mistress\u201d) was a phrase that \u201cmight be used by a man of any class when referring to his wife\u201d. Because of this, I felt it more understandable to translate it as \u201cwife\u201d. (Smith 1975, 186).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>bit of bear<\/b>\u201d – Smith\u2019s commentary provides insight into the consumption of bears in Roman times. He states that \u201cdespite the opportunities offered by the wholesale slaughter of bears in the arena, bear-meat does not seem to have been much eaten\u201d (Smith 1975, 186).<\/span><\/p>\n Scintilla <\/b>– This is the first time she is referred to by name. A few paragraphs later, we learn that she is Habinnas\u2019s wife. (Petronius, Satyricon<\/i> 66)<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ 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″ 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 Petronius. <\/span>Satyricon<\/span><\/i>. Translated by A. S. Kline. Poetry in Translation, 2018. <\/span>https:\/\/www.poetryintranslation.com\/PITBR\/Latin\/PetroniusSatyriconPartIII.php<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Bell, Emily. \u201cLibations and the Ancient History of Pouring One Out.\u201d VinePair, December 3, 2015. <\/span>https:\/\/vinepair.com\/wine-blog\/libations-and-the-ancient-history-of-pouring-one-out\/?ss=reddit<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Cohen, Edward E. \u201cInequality,\u201d In <\/span>Roman Inequality: Affluent Slaves, Businesswomen, Legal Fictions.<\/span><\/i>\u201d New York: Oxford University Press, 2023. <\/span>https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/book\/46440\/chapter\/407713608<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Lendering, Jona. \u201cLictor.\u201d Livius.org. 2002. <\/span>https:\/\/www.livius.org\/articles\/concept\/lictor\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Lewis, Charlton T. and Short, Charles. <\/span>A Latin Dictionary<\/span><\/i>. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1879. Available online at <\/span>https:\/\/www.perseus.tufts.edu\/hopper\/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0059<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Kierdorf, Wilhelm. \u201cPraetor.\u201d In <\/span>Brill’s New Pauly Online<\/span><\/i>. Leiden: Brill, 2006. Doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi-org.newman.richmond.edu\/10.1163\/1574-9347_bnp_e1007380<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nCommentary<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sources<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![Click here<\/a> for an image of a bronze statuette of a Roman lictor holding the fasces.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/p>\nThe other man \u201c<\/span>clothed in white<\/b>\u201d refers to the \u201c<\/span>comissator<\/span><\/i>,\u201d which is translated as a reveler. Sedgwick\u2019s commentary can provide insight into why a reveler was there: \u201cIt was customary for <\/span>revelers thus<\/span> to burst in\u201d (Sedgwick 1967, 123).\u00a0\u00a0Additionally, \u201cclothed in white\u201d refers to the <\/span>veste alba<\/span><\/i> which Smith explains: \u201cHabinnas wears white, the appropriate colour for a festive occasion, even one in honour of the dead\u201d (Smith 1975, 182).<\/span><\/p>\n\u201c<\/span>Senator<\/b>\u201d is used here instead of the word <\/span>praetor<\/span><\/i>, an official in Rome who could administer justice. <\/span>Praetors<\/span><\/i> had lictors and wore purple togas. During the empire, they oversaw paying for the public games. I felt like the word senator makes more sense to modern audiences while keeping the original text’s context.\u00a0(<\/span>Kierdof 2006)<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>Agamemnon<\/b> is one of the other guests at Trimalchio\u2019s dinner party, elsewhere identified as a teacher of rhetoric (Petronius, <\/span>Satyricon <\/span><\/i>3-5).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201c<\/span>an official<\/b>\u201d refers to <\/span>sevir<\/span><\/i>: \u201ca member of a board or college consisting of six men, a sexvir. One of the presidents of the six divisions of Roman knights.\u201d (<\/span>Lewis and Short<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n\u201c<\/span>several fancy hats<\/b>\u201d\u00a0 translates \u201c<\/span>aliquot coronis<\/span><\/i>.\u201d I felt that this phrase would fit better for modern audiences than the literal meaning, \u201csome crowns\/garlands.\u201d Sedgwick explains that \u201cgarlands were worn at drinking bouts\u201d (Sedgwick 1967, 123).<\/span><\/p>\nThe \u201c<\/span>seat of honor<\/b>\u201d refers to \u201c<\/span>praetorio loco<\/span><\/i>,\u201d literally \u201cplace for the <\/span>praetor<\/span><\/i>.\u201d Because I did not use the term <\/span>praetor<\/span><\/i> earlier, I used this more general phrase for the special seating spot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>My goodness<\/b>\u201d refers to \u201c<\/span>mehercules<\/span><\/i>\u201d or \u201cBy Hercules!\u201d This is a colloquial exaggeration, and \u201cmy goodness\u201d is a common modern-day phrase providing the same feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>Scissa<\/b> refers to the host of the banquet that Habinnas had attended before Trimalchio\u2019s. (Petronius <\/span>Satyricon<\/span><\/i> 65).<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>The <\/span>nine-day banquet<\/b> was the <\/span>Novendialem<\/span><\/i>. Smith\u2019s commentary states that \u201cafter nine days of mourning, offerings were made to the spirit of the dead person, and a banquet was held for the mourners\u201d (Smith 1975, 183).<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>The <\/span>tax collectors<\/b> were called in Latin <\/span>vicensimarii<\/span><\/i>, or \u201cthe collectors of the <\/span>vicesima<\/span><\/i>.\u201d (Smith 1975, 184). The <\/span>vicesima <\/span><\/i>was \u201ca tax of five per cent. Every Roman, when he manumitted a slave, had to pay to the state a tax of one-twentieth of this value, whence the tax was called <\/span>vicesima manumissionis<\/span><\/i>\u201d (Smith 1875).<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>50,000<\/b> – The currency used is not stated, however I believe it is referring to sesterces since Cohen states that a doctor \u201cwas able to pay 50,000 sesterces for his freedom\u201d (Cohen <\/span>Roman Inequality<\/span><\/i>, 26).<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>pour half the drinks<\/b>\u201d – <\/span>The act of pouring wine out for a dead friend was honorable and common in ancient Rome. They even had some tombs designed so that wine could be poured into a cup placed on a statue’s hand on the lid of the sarcophagus and then flow into a hole and seep into the bones. This custom of honoring the dead is where the phrase \u201cpouring one out\u201d comes from. (Bell, \u201cLibations and the Ancient History of Pouring One Out\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>[LXVI]<\/span><\/p>\n\u201c<\/span>blood sauce<\/b>\u201d – Smith states that the \u201c<\/span>sangunculum<\/span><\/i>\u201d was \u201cpossibly a blood sauce rather than a blood sausage or black pudding\u201d (Smith 1975, 184).<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>extra<\/b>\u201d – I translated the \u201c<\/span>de suo sibi<\/span><\/i>\u201d as \u201cextra\u201d because that sounds better than saying \u2018on its own for itself\u2019 and still providing the same meanings.<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Spanish wine<\/b>\u201d – Wines imported from Spain were common in Rome after Augustus began planting vineyards there. Through their road systems, the wine was easily able to be carried into Rome (O\u2019Neill, Wines in Ancient Rome).<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>tied in my napkin<\/b>\u201d – This is not the only occurrence in Roman literature of someone putting food into their napkin to take it back home. Martial 7.20 is a poem stating that a man stole lots of food and put it in his \u201c<\/span>mappa<\/span><\/i>\u201d and then went home to sell it the next day (Martial <\/span>Epigrams<\/span><\/i>, 7.20).<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0\u201c<\/span>My wife<\/b>\u201d – <\/span>Smith states that \u201c<\/span>domina mea<\/span><\/i>\u201d (literally \u201cmy mistress\u201d) was a phrase that \u201cmight be used by a man of any class when referring to his wife\u201d. Because of this, I felt it more understandable to translate it as \u201cwife\u201d. (Smith 1975, 186).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201c<\/span>bit of bear<\/b>\u201d – Smith\u2019s commentary provides insight into the consumption of bears in Roman times. He states that \u201cdespite the opportunities offered by the wholesale slaughter of bears in the arena, bear-meat does not seem to have been much eaten\u201d (Smith 1975, 186).<\/span><\/p>\nScintilla <\/b>– This is the first time she is referred to by name. A few paragraphs later, we learn that she is Habinnas\u2019s wife. (Petronius, Satyricon<\/i> 66)<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ 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>\nSources<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ 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>\nPetronius. <\/span>Satyricon<\/span><\/i>. Translated by A. S. Kline. Poetry in Translation, 2018. <\/span>https:\/\/www.poetryintranslation.com\/PITBR\/Latin\/PetroniusSatyriconPartIII.php<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\nBell, Emily. \u201cLibations and the Ancient History of Pouring One Out.\u201d VinePair, December 3, 2015. <\/span>https:\/\/vinepair.com\/wine-blog\/libations-and-the-ancient-history-of-pouring-one-out\/?ss=reddit<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nCohen, Edward E. \u201cInequality,\u201d In <\/span>Roman Inequality: Affluent Slaves, Businesswomen, Legal Fictions.<\/span><\/i>\u201d New York: Oxford University Press, 2023. <\/span>https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/book\/46440\/chapter\/407713608<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nLendering, Jona. \u201cLictor.\u201d Livius.org. 2002. <\/span>https:\/\/www.livius.org\/articles\/concept\/lictor\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nLewis, Charlton T. and Short, Charles. <\/span>A Latin Dictionary<\/span><\/i>. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1879. Available online at <\/span>https:\/\/www.perseus.tufts.edu\/hopper\/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0059<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nKierdorf, Wilhelm. \u201cPraetor.\u201d In <\/span>Brill’s New Pauly Online<\/span><\/i>. Leiden: Brill, 2006. Doi: <\/span>https:\/\/doi-org.newman.richmond.edu\/10.1163\/1574-9347_bnp_e1007380<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n](\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:37.03a_roman_lictor.png\"){kind=link}