Feast of Trimalchio Western Civilization

Feast of Trimalchio

Western Civilization

Trimalchio's social status was that of great wealth and power. The extent of his wealth was obvious by the lavish myriad of what had to have been delicacies of the time, as well as the way in which the food was prepared and served. For example, the readings mention "dormice seasoned with honey and poppy-seed. There were sausages, too, smoking hot on a silver grill, and underneath (to imitate coals) Syrian plums and pomegranate seeds..." Other examples stated, "hors d'oeuvres stood a little ass of Corinthian bronze with a packsaddle holding olives, white on one side, black on the other..." The wine they drank was not just wine - but "honeyed wine." An indication of the extra niceties and pleasures afforded to him.

Trimalchio clearly likes to show his wealth by offering his guest an array of choices from his abundant selection. "Which of the three will you have dressed for super right away? Farmyard cocks and pheasants are for country folks; my cooks are used to serving up calves boiled whole..." This statement being a testament of the "haves" and the "have nots." The readings also indicate that at a time when the city was experiencing drought, Trimalchio himself was not experiencing any shortage of water.

Other revealing clues as to Trimalchio's wealth and social status were the amount of employees, slaves, and entertainment available at his beckon calls. "No sooner had he spoken than four fellows ran prancing in, keeping time to the music, and whipped off the top of the tray. This done, we beheld underneath, on a second tray in fact, stuffed capons, a sow's paps, and as a centerpiece a hare fitted with wings to represent Pegasus. We noticed besides four figures of Marsyas, one at each corner of the tray, spouting out peppered fish-sauce over the fishes swimming in the Channel of the dish..."

Cooks, servers, musicians, acrobats, butlers, maids, young men, and young women - all of whom he had complete control over their fate. For example, the readings mention the extent of Trimalchio's power when a slave makes careless mistakes in his work. Trimalchio tells him to "strip" and go and "take his own life." At which point the slave begs for mercy.