In Ancient Rome, grand feasts were not just meals but cultural rituals and displays of wealth and status. Their dining habits were vastly different from modern practices—often extreme and lavish.
Luxurious Multi-Course Feasts
Roman feasts typically consisted of multiple courses, starting with appetizers, moving to main dishes, and finishing with desserts. Their menus featured local delicacies as well as rare imported ingredients such as peacock, flamingo tongues, and sea urchins. For Rome’s elites, these rare and exotic foods symbolized luxury and power.
The Dining Posture: Eating While Reclining
Unlike modern mealtime etiquette, Romans dined while reclining. Guests would lie on couches, often propped on their left sides, eating with their fingers or using spoons. This posture allowed for prolonged feasting and was considered a mark of sophistication and leisure.
Eating and Vomiting: The Pursuit of Endless Indulgence
Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Roman feasts was their practice of induced vomiting. To continue indulging in food, some Romans would deliberately purge themselves once full, creating space to keep eating. This practice was seen as a symbol of opulence and extravagance, though it would be considered wasteful and unhealthy by modern standards
This 2nd century A.D. mosaic depicts an unswept floor after a banquet, to disguise actual mess caused in celebration. De Agostini/Getty Images
A Center for Social and Cultural Life
Roman feasts were about more than just food—they were significant social events. Guests used the gatherings to network, discuss politics and philosophy, and enjoy poetry recitals or musical performances. These banquets served as stages for the elite to strengthen relationships and showcase their cultural refinement.
A Reflection of Social Inequality
These opulent feasts also underscored the stark inequalities in Roman society. While the wealthy enjoyed seemingly endless indulgence, the lower classes often struggled for basic sustenance. This disparity became more pronounced during the late Roman Empire and contributed to social unrest.
Ancient Roman dining culture is remembered for its extravagance and excess. Feasts were central to their social fabric, and the practice of "lying down to eat and vomiting to continue" highlights their relentless pursuit of pleasure. While modern audiences may find these customs difficult to relate to, they reveal much about Roman priorities and their approach to luxury and enjoyment.
