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The <\/span>Satyricon <\/span><\/i>is a picaresque novel whose authorship is attributed to Gaius Petronius Arbiter. We know little about Petronius\u2019 life, and what we do know comes to us from the Roman historian Tacitus. <\/span>Tacitus<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Annales <\/span><\/i>16.18) tells us that Petronius was a wealthy, pleasure-seeking noble who served as governor in the eastern province of Bithynia; it is also likely that he served as either consul or first magistrate of Rome (Kenney 2022). In any event, Petronius ultimately ended up in the inner circle of the Roman Emperor Nero where he was given the title of \u201cjudge of elegance\u201d (<\/span>arbiter elegantiae <\/span><\/i>in Latin), a role which made him the final authority on all things concerning taste and refinement (Kenney 2022). Eventually, Petronius was forced to commit suicide after being accused of conspiracy against the emperor, a crime of which he was almost certainly innocent (Kenney 2022).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The following sections of the Satyricon are taken from perhaps its most famous episode: The Dinner of Trimalchio. Trimalchio is a wealthy, vulgar freedman (former slave) whose ill-begotten fortune and lack of social refinement provide a perfect vessel for Petronius\u2019s satirical commentary. Despite its satirical nature, Trimalchio\u2019s dinner nevertheless offers priceless insights into both Roman dining culture and Roman society at large.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _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 _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” column_structure=”1_2,1_2″][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=”4.16″ 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 Section 31<\/strong><\/p>\n Nevertheless, an exceedingly elegant appetizer course was carried in; for indeed already all had reclined except Trimalchio himself, for whom the first place was reserved by a new custom. Furthermore, in the aperitif-tray<\/span>, there was a donkey made of Corinthian bronze laden with a saddle bag which was holding white olives on one side and black olives on the other. Two plates, on the margins of which Trimalchio\u2019s name was inscribed as well as their weight in silver, were covering the donkey. Furthermore, little iron bridges were holding up dormice sprinkled with honey and poppy seeds. Also, there were little hot sausages placed upon a silver grill, and, below the grill, there were Syrian plums with pomegranate seeds.<\/span><\/p>\n In section 32, we receive a comical physical description of our host Trimalchio; notably, his clothing and jewelry is described in detail. Around his neck he wears a purple-bordered napkin, one that imitates the purple-bordered togas worn by senators. Further adding to his charade are his gilded iron rings which mimic the solid gold rings that only free born knights were permitted to wear; as a freedman, Trimalchio is only legally allowed to wear iron rings (Hurschmann 2006). Nevertheless, it seems that Trimalchio is quite dedicated to constructing a veneer of privilege that adds to his dinner\u2019s overall theme of impersonation and deception.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n In the opening paragraph of section 33 (excluded in my translation), Trimalchio pompously asks his guests to forgive him for his previous absence that delayed the banquet and momentarily pardon him as he enjoys a board game that employs crystal gaming pieces and gold and silver coins instead of basic counters.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Section 33<\/strong><\/p>\n . . . Meanwhile, while Trimalchio consumes commonplace chatter<\/span> during the game, a tray with a basket was brought out to us while we were still eating the appetizer<\/span>; in the basket, there was a wooden hen whose open wings were encompassing the basket<\/span>, just as they do when they incubate eggs. At once, two slaves approached, and, with the music roaring, they began to search the straw, and immediately they handed to the guests the peacock eggs that they dug up. Trimalchio turned his face to this scene and said, “Friends, I ordered peacock eggs to be put under the hen. And by Hercules I fear now that the chicks are fully formed; nevertheless, let us test if they are still able to be sucked.” We receive snail spoons weighing no less than a half-pound, and we thrust through the eggs formed from fat flour. Indeed, I nearly threw out my share, for it seemed to me that already the egg had formed into a chick. Then, when I heard an experienced guest say, \u201cin these eggs, I do not know what good things await us,\u201d I cracked<\/span> through the shell with my hand and saw the fattest figpecker surrounded with peppered yoke.<\/span><\/p>\n In the opening two paragraphs of section 34, Trimalchio offers a second glass of mulsum (honey wine), and the appetizers are carried away. In the process, a slave drops a silver dish, and, when the slave goes to pick up the dish, Trimalchio has him boxed on the ears and orders that the silver dish be swept away with the rest of the trash. After slaves wash the guests\u2019 hands with wine, and Trimalchio provides a pretentious remark on equality, the following scene unfolds.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Section 34<\/strong><\/p>\n . . . Immediately, glass amphorae sealed with gypsum were carried forth carefully, on the necks of which little labels were affixed with this inscription: OPIMIANUM FALERNIAN 100 YEARS.” While we read over the inscriptions, Trimalchio clapped his hands and said: “Alas, thus wine lives longer than little humanity. Therefore, let\u2019s drink our fill. Wine is life. Truly, I present a vintage from the consulship of Opimius. Yesterday, I served wine not nearly as good, even though I had more honorable guests.” Therefore, while we were drinking and admiring the luxuries most carefully, a slave<\/span> carried in a silver skeleton fitted so that its joints and dislocated vertebrae could be bent in every direction. When he had thrown the skeleton upon the table once and then again, and the pliant skeleton was imitating a few poses, Trimalchio cried out<\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Alas miserable us, how little humanity is nothing!<\/span><\/p>\n Thus, we will all be after Orcus<\/span> will carry us away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Therefore, let us live, while life is good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/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=”4.16″ 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 Section 31<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cappetizer course\u201d (gustatio<\/i>)<\/strong>:<\/strong> The Roman <\/span>cena<\/span><\/i> (dinner) consisted primarily of two meals: the <\/span>mensa prima <\/span><\/i>(main course) and the <\/span>mensa secunda <\/span><\/i>(dessert), with the <\/span>gustatio<\/span><\/i> (appetizer) being a later addition to the menu (Gutsfeld 2006). Of course, the quality and length of a Roman <\/span>cena <\/span><\/i>varied depending on economic conditions and the occasion (Gutsfeld 2006). For example, the Roman satirical poet Juvenal notes that foods such as bacon and meat had, before his time, traditionally been reserved for birthday celebrations (<\/span>Satires<\/span><\/i> 11, 83-84<\/span><\/a>). Trimalchio\u2019s dinner is one of excessive expense and should be viewed as being decidedly distant from a conventional Roman <\/span>cena. <\/span><\/i>This is not to say, however, that Trimalchio\u2019s ostentatious display is rooted entirely in literary fiction, as the excessive dinner parties of wealthy Romans are well recorded and satirized by other writers, such as <\/span>Horace<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201chad reclined\u2026 the first place was reserved by a new custom\u201d:<\/strong> The Romans reclined on couches during their <\/span>convivia <\/span><\/i>(translated literally as \u201cliving together\u201d), or \u201cbanquets.\u201d These <\/span>convivia<\/span><\/i> took place in <\/span>triclinia<\/span><\/i>, or \u201cdining rooms,\u201d which consisted of three couches surrounding a table. The <\/span>medius lectus<\/span><\/i> (\u201cmiddle couch\u201d)<\/span> was typically reserved for high-status guests, the <\/span>imus lectus <\/span><\/i>(\u201cbottom couch,\u201d to the left of the entrance) for the host and his family, and the <\/span>summus lectus<\/span><\/i> (\u201ctop couch,\u201d to the right of the entrance)<\/span> for low-status guests (Schmitt-Pantel 2006). Typically, the host would recline <\/span>summus in imo<\/span><\/i> (\u201cthe highest point on the bottom couch\u201d) next to the guest of honor who reclined <\/span>imus in medio<\/span><\/i> (\u201cthe lowest point on the middle couch\u201d); however, Trimalchio breaks this tradition by reclining <\/span>summus in summo<\/span><\/i> (\u201cthe highest point on the top couch\u201d), hence my translation \u201cfor whom <\/span>the first place was reserved by a new custom.\u201d Trimalchio may have preferred this spot since its accessibility accommodates his late arrival and his temporary absence that occurs later in the narrative (Smith 1975, 67). It is also possible that he was mis-following the customary arrangement of a Greek symposium, where the guest of honor occupied the \u201ctopmost\u201d couch to the right of the doorway (<\/span>Plato, <\/span>Symposium <\/span><\/i>177d<\/span><\/a>). Once again, Trimalchio\u2019s banquet defies convention.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A diagram of the seating arrangements in a triclinium, from <\/span>Schmitt-Pantel 2006<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n \u201ca little donkey made of Corinthian bronze\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> Trimalchio uses a statuette of a donkey made from Corinthian bronze to serve olives. Corinthian bronze was an alloy of copper, gold, and silver, though its exact composition remains unknown (<\/span>Neudecker<\/span> 2006). The alloy was highly valued, so much so that Pliny the Elder in his <\/span>Natural History <\/span><\/i>recalls a rumor that Mark Antony proscribed Cicero simply because he refused to hand over some pieces of Corinthian bronze (<\/span>Natural History<\/span><\/i>, 34.3<\/span><\/a>). Trimalchio\u2019s use of Corinthian bronze as tableware is clearly an outrageous display of wealth. It is also our first encounter with Trimalchio\u2019s use of imitation in his banquet, a theme which recurs throughout the narrative. Though not made of Corinthian bronze, the image below shows a statuette of a donkey with a saddle bag similar to the one described in the narrative.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Statuette of a donkey with a saddle bag (<\/span>asellus sum bisaccio<\/span><\/i>), <\/span>Museo Civico Castello Ursino, Catania; p<\/span>hotograph courtesy of fellow classmate Emily Dixon<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cwhite olives\u2026 black olives\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> Olives were, and still are, a staple food across the Mediterranean and were common in Roman dinners. In Rome, as well as Greece, their oil was used both for consumption and personal hygiene. Though some of the olives carried by the donkey statuette are described as being <\/span>albas<\/span><\/i> (\u201cwhite\u201d), this description likely refers to their being an unripe light green in contrast to the ripened black olives on the other side of the saddlebag (Lawall 1995, 53). (For a recent news story about a bottle of olive oil that was preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, see <\/span>https:\/\/www.oliveoiltimes.com\/world\/oldest-known-bottle-of-olive-oil-on-display-in-naples-museum\/65708<\/span><\/a>.)<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cplates\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> The Roman <\/span>lanx<\/span><\/i> was a large serving platter that served a variety of purposes (Matthews 1969, 32-33). For example, Vergil describes the vessel as being used in a sacrificial context (<\/span>Georgics<\/span><\/i> 2.194<\/span><\/a>)<\/span> \u00a0Here, however, it is used exclusively as a piece of dining ware. Though not always this elaborate, below is a photograph of a silver Roman lanx from the British Museum; given Trimalchio\u2019s tastes, it would not be unreasonable to imagine that the silver <\/span>lances<\/span><\/i> used to cover the donkey were equally elaborate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A 4th-century silver Roman <\/span>lanx <\/span><\/i>from Corbridge, England, depicting the divinities Diana, Minerva, and Apollo; British Museum, Accession Number: <\/span>1993,0401.1<\/span><\/a>; inscribed on the base: \u201cWeight fourteen (pounds) three ounces and two scruples\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/i>Trimalchio\u2019s name was inscribed as well as their weight in silver\u201d<\/i><\/strong>:<\/strong> It was common for objects made of precious metals to be stamped with their weight, like the <\/span>lanx<\/span><\/i> shown above. This was done to denote the value of the object. Naturally, the heavier the weight, the more expensive the object. Indeed, some objects reached immense sizes; Pliny the Elder recalls a time in Roman history in which over 150 silver <\/span>lances<\/span><\/i> were made that weighed one hundred pounds each (<\/span>Natural History<\/span><\/i>, 33.145<\/span><\/a>). The practice of inscribing one\u2019s name on precious objects that were not used in the context of a religious offering, however, was likely looked down upon in Roman society as being vulgar and gaudy, further adding to Petronius\u2019 characterization of Trimalchio\u2019s offensive flamboyance (Sedgwick 1967, 93).<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cdormice\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> Dormice were considered a delicacy by the Romans, though they were by no means rare (Smith 1975, 67). In fact, the Romans kept dormice in special terracotta enclosures called <\/span>gliraria<\/span><\/i>, in which they were bred and fattened for consumption (<\/span>H\u00fcnem\u00f6rder 2006). The practice of raising dormice was unsuccessfully prohibited by sumptuary laws (laws which sought to regulate extravagance) during the late Roman Republic <\/span>(<\/span>H\u00fcnem\u00f6rder 2006). For more details on the raising of dormice, see Book 3 section 15 of Varro\u2019s<\/span> On Agriculture<\/span><\/i><\/a>.\u00a0 See below for photographs of an adorable dormouse and a Roman <\/span>glirarium<\/span><\/i>. Further, click the link for a recipe for \u201cdormice” a la Trimalchio: <\/span>https:\/\/romanasum.com\/2019\/06\/30\/honey-poppyseed-dormice\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n A photograph of a <\/span>glirarium<\/span><\/i> exhibited at the National Museum of Archeology in Chiusi. <\/span>Wikimedia<\/span><\/a>, CC-BY-SA, Marco Daniele<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSyrian plums with pomegranate seeds\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> Syrian plums were praised for being good for the stomach and for being a reliable diuretic; pomegranate seeds (in Latin, <\/span>grana Punici mali<\/span><\/i>, or \u201cgrains of the Punic apple) were also consumed for their similar qualities <\/span>(H\u00fcnem\u00f6rder 2006). Here, the dark plums arranged together with the pomegranate seeds are meant to represent the coals and glowing embers under the silver grill that are \u201cheating\u201d the sausages. Once again, Trimalchio displays his love of illusion and mimicry. Though not arranged in the manner described above, below is a photograph of plums alongside pomegranate seeds to give you an idea of how their colors might clash together to create the effect of coals and embers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Section 33<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cthe game\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> Dr. Lawall posits that Trimalchio is playing the board game <\/span>duodecim scripta<\/span><\/i> (twelve lines) which involves the use of a board that has twelve vertical lines divided by one horizontal line; each player has fifteen markers and three dice which they role to move their markers (Lawall 1995, 61). The game is similar to modern backgammon (Smith 1975, 70). Learn to play the game using this link.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cwooden hen\u2026 peacock eggs\u2026 formed from fat flour\u2026 fattest figpecker\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> Once again, Trimalchio serves a dish that is not quite what it appears to be by using yet another statuette of an animal to serve his bizarre dishes; this time, it is a wooden hen. Like dormice, both peacocks and their eggs were considered delicacies, though they were not overly rare (Smith 1975, 71). Of course, here Trimalchio does not serve peacock eggs at all, but rather pastries formed in the shape of peacock eggs that hold figpeckers (small birds also known as \u201cFlycatchers\u201d which were also considered a delicacy) submerged in a spiced yoke<\/span>Translation<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Commentary<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![Wikimedia<\/span><\/a>, CC-BY-SA, Marco Daniele<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cSyrian plums with pomegranate seeds\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> Syrian plums were praised for being good for the stomach and for being a reliable diuretic; pomegranate seeds (in Latin, <\/span>grana Punici mali<\/span><\/i>, or \u201cgrains of the Punic apple) were also consumed for their similar qualities <\/span>(H\u00fcnem\u00f6rder 2006). Here, the dark plums arranged together with the pomegranate seeds are meant to represent the coals and glowing embers under the silver grill that are \u201cheating\u201d the sausages. Once again, Trimalchio displays his love of illusion and mimicry. Though not arranged in the manner described above, below is a photograph of plums alongside pomegranate seeds to give you an idea of how their colors might clash together to create the effect of coals and embers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSection 33<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cthe game\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> Dr. Lawall posits that Trimalchio is playing the board game <\/span>duodecim scripta<\/span><\/i> (twelve lines) which involves the use of a board that has twelve vertical lines divided by one horizontal line; each player has fifteen markers and three dice which they role to move their markers (Lawall 1995, 61). The game is similar to modern backgammon (Smith 1975, 70). Learn to play the game using this link.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cwooden hen\u2026 peacock eggs\u2026 formed from fat flour\u2026 fattest figpecker\u201d<\/strong>:<\/strong> Once again, Trimalchio serves a dish that is not quite what it appears to be by using yet another statuette of an animal to serve his bizarre dishes; this time, it is a wooden hen. Like dormice, both peacocks and their eggs were considered delicacies, though they were not overly rare (Smith 1975, 71). Of course, here Trimalchio does not serve peacock eggs at all, but rather pastries formed in the shape of peacock eggs that hold figpeckers (small birds also known as \u201cFlycatchers\u201d which were also considered a delicacy) submerged in a spiced yoke<\/span>](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Museo_archeologico_nazionale_di_Chiusi_-_glirarium.JPG\"){kind=link}