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Principal Author: Mark Smillie, St Andrew School (Helena, MT)
Like us, the Romans (especially the affluent ones) enjoyed
entertaining at home, often with lavish, open-air banquets. These dinners would
include conversation, music, dancing and singing by professional musicians. After
dinner entertainments might include a commissatio (a drinking party) or else the
recitation of literary works--usually poetry, sometimes speeches or essays. The
invitations have been sent for your next convivium (banquet) and as you can see, the
guests (convivae) are in their chariots and on their way! Time to start preparing.
"Tantum vinum amabam, vinetum emi!"
