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Why did the Romans eat lying down?

The Roman Empire, established in the 8th century BC, profoundly influenced world history, impacting cultural and social life across civilizations. Among the intriguing details about the Romans, particularly evident in their artwork, is their practice of dining while reclining. But why? Let’s explore together. 👇

Throughout history, Romans possessed a distinct and opulent lifestyle that set them apart from the rest of the world.

One of the most distinctive aspects of their culture was their preference for reclining while eating! In many depictions of Roman life, we see people reclining around dining tables. However, lying down while eating is known to be harmful as it complicates the passage of food into the stomach and its digestion. So why did the Romans persist with this peculiar habit?

The primary reason behind this practice was social status! The upper classes relished displaying their wealth in front of the lower classes… reclining during meals was a way for the wealthy and powerful to demonstrate their importance and the necessity to be at ease in whatever action they undertook.

This culture, inherited from their pleasure-seeking Ancient Greek ancestors, emerged from the idea that the upper class, amid elaborate feasts lasting for hours, had no need to rise for anything except perhaps to use the restroom.

Of course, there were certain rules to reclining while eating inherited from Ancient Greece: Even if you were a wealthy and powerful woman, reclining to eat wasn’t your prerogative… Women usually served the food and sat on chairs at a different table.

As this tradition gained popularity in Rome, women also began to join these feasts, but priority still lay with wealthy and powerful men.

“Could common people also recline while eating, or was this reserved only for the wealthy?” you might wonder. The answer is: Yes, it was reserved for the elite. For most people during this period, even accessing a variety of meals was a challenge, let alone reclining while eating.

These individuals in Ancient Rome were considered different and special precisely because they were so wealthy and powerful. They aspired to be regarded as gods by the rest of the population!

Ancient Roman cuisine was diverse and delicious. One example is Ova Spongia ex Lacte, a honey omelet! Here’s how you make this honey omelet:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons honey

4 eggs

275 ml milk

25g butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

A pinch of black pepper

Method:

Whisk together the eggs, milk, and butter.

Heat a little olive oil in a pan. Pour in the omelet mixture.

Stir with a fork until the mixture begins to solidify.

Once one side is well-cooked, flip the omelet and cook the other side. Fold it in half and transfer it to a plate.

Warm the honey and pour it over the omelet.

Fold the omelet once more and slice it into thick pieces.

Sprinkle black pepper and serve.


Bon Appétit!

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