Our drinks were not the object of less attention, nor of less attentive cares. The Romans were delighted with the wines of Italy, Greece, and Sicily. As they estimated their value from the year in which they were made, we may understand Cicero's much abused line,
Oh tortuna tam, natura, me consule Roman.
This was not all. In consequence of an instinct hitherto referred to, an effort was made to make them more highly perfumed, and flowers, aromatics, etc., were infused. Such things which the Romans called condita, must have had a very bad effect on the stomach.
Thus the Romans came to dream of alcohol, which was not discovered until long after they were born.
RESURRECTION OF LUCULLUS.
The glorious days of old might arise again, and nothing but a Lucullus is needed, to bring this about. Let us fancy that any man, known to be rich, should wish to celebrate any great act, and give in this manner an occasion for a famous entertainment.
Let us suppose that he appeals to every one to adorn his entertainment, and orders every possible resource to be prepared.
Let him make every imaginable preparation and Lucullus would be as nothing compared with the civilized world as it is.
Both the Romans and the Athenians had beds to eat on. They achieved the purpose but indirectly.
At first they used beds only for the sacred festivals offered to the gods. The magistrates and principal men, adopted the custom, and ere long, it became general and was preserved until in the beginning of the fourth century.