Whenever I see Hollywood movies like Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, I’m always fascinated by the dining scene. The Ancient Romans are usually portrayed as reclining while eating. It’s always the same scene in other films as well.

The truth is, the Ancient Romans only dined and wined for formal events. For routine meals, they just sat down at a table like we would do today. I should also note that only the wealthier classes could afford to have expensive feasts. The poorer classes usually sat on the floor to eat, or stood standing while eating.

For those who had the income and status, there was a special room reserved solely for dining called the triclinium. The dining room would have a table (mensa) and a sprawling couch (lectustriclinaris) where guests could lay on their elbows and eat at the same time.

The slaves of the host family acted as waiters and waitresses. The slaves would deliver the food to the table, and some even stood standing during the entire meal to pour wine for the guests. Before the meal started, the slaves would bring in a jug of water so that the guests could wash their hands before they ate. The Ancient Romans ate with their fingers. For soups and broths the ligula was used and for forks the coclear was used. To wipe their mouths or clean their fingers, there was always a washcloth (mappae) readily available.

Some people may feel repulsed by the fact that the sophisticated Romans ate with their fingers, but when you think about it, their way of eating might have been more sanitary. I know people who only use utensils to eat, but they don’t always wash their hands. Not washing your hands will probably spread more germs to yourself; even if you don’t have direct contact with your fingers and mouth.