Food
In Rome, breakfast was a light snack, e.g. bread and water. Lunch was also a light meal, eaten at midday. It was usually some meat or fish followed by fruit. The main meal, prepared by the slaves, was eaten during the late afternoon and was called cena. In Winter they ate this meal in the inner dining room, which was near the atrium and in Summer, used the dining room at the back of the house, overlooking the garden.
In the dining room three couches were placed around a small circular table. Wealthy romans reclined on the couches, leaning on their left elbow and eating with their right. The poor, children, and sometimes women ate sitting up. Spoons or fingers were used, but romans never used forks. If guests were invited for a meal, some form of entertainment would be provided.
In the dining room three couches were placed around a small circular table. Wealthy romans reclined on the couches, leaning on their left elbow and eating with their right. The poor, children, and sometimes women ate sitting up. Spoons or fingers were used, but romans never used forks. If guests were invited for a meal, some form of entertainment would be provided.