Three people occupied each sofa. The lowest place on the middle sofa was the seat of honor.
The room or hall was illuminated by lamps and candles, set on individual and very expensive stands or massed in candelabras of great magnificence. The oils and fats used for illumination were diluted with substances which under the influence of heat gave forth odors of great fragrance.
Each guest brought his own napkin.
Ivory-handled knives were manufactured, but seldom used, as the reclining position rendered the spoons (ligulae) more convenient.
The dessert was arranged on the sideboards under the supervision of the pistor and structor before the meal commenced.
A nomenclator was the regular employe of every patrician. His sole office was to prompt his master on the names of his guests and clients, or hangers-on.
Much care was devoted by the wealthy to their private stores of wines. They were sealed in jars or bottles of baked clay, with labels attached bearing the year of the consulship during which they were made. Some old wines were very expensive. That of Campania was considered the best. The Caecuban Falernian was very good. He was pitied who was forced to drink the Vatican!
A banquet in the days of ancient Rome (original taken from a stone carving
excavated from the site of Pompeii).
Greek wines were popular and were found in many Roman cellars.