In the Odyssey (b. i.) we read of two kinds of feasts; the one called elapino, given by a single host; the other called eranos, which was of the nature of a club, in which each guest shared the expense. At the former kind there were—1st, the proper guests; 2d, the shadows, or those brought in by the invited guests; 3d, the parasites, a kind of sponging buffoons who came in without any invitation. Among the Greeks it was not the custom to invite women; but it was otherwise with the Romans. As soon as the guests arrived at the house of their host, their sandals were removed by slaves, and their feet washed and anointed. It would appear that in the Homeric age it was the custom to sit at meals; but the recumbent posture was afterwards adopted, and the guests were arranged around the table on couches. Two persons usually reclined on each couch; or three among the Romans; but the number varied. (The manner of reclining at table is described under ACCUBATION.) In eating, as the luxury of knives and forks was unknown, the Greeks made use of their fingers; but they used spoons in partaking of soup and other liquids. The distributor gave to each guest his proper portion of the viands, which were cut beforehand into small pieces. There were three courses. The first consisted of such things as were calculated to whet the appetite, though this was rather a refinement of the Romans; the second or principal course then appeared; and this was followed by the dessert, at which the delicacies were produced. The tables (which were not covered with cloths as with us) were wiped with sponges after each course. Water for washing the hands was also handed round, but every person brought his napkin with him. The guests arrayed themselves in white garments, wore chaplets of flowers on their heads, and often anointed the hair and beard with fragrant oils. The banqueting-room, too, was decorated with garlands of roses, which were suspended above the table as the emblem of silence or secrecy; and hence the phrase, to utter a thing sub rosa. All the requisites for the entertainment were provided by the symposiarch, or master of the feast, who was either the host himself or a person of his selecting; and the king of the feast, or arbiter bibendi, presided over the drinking. The cup-bearers (generally beautiful boys) presented the wine in goblets, which were frequently of exquisite workmanship, and decorated with wreaths. The luxurious Romans drank out of cups made of crystal, amber, or the costly porcelain called murria, as also of onyx, beryl, and richly-chased gold set with precious stones. The wine, which was usually much diluted with water, was mixed in a large vessel called a crater; and from that it was transferred to the goblets by Feathers.

means of a cyathus or ladle. It was customary to introduce the drinking by making a libation of unmixed wine to the "Good Genius," and this ceremony was usually accompanied with the singing of the pean, and the playing of flutes. Then the mixed wine was produced, and the first cup was drank to "Jupiter the Preserver." The number of cups was regulated sometimes by that of the Graces, or more frequently by that of the Muses; yet even this number was often exceeded—for it was not unusual both to drink all round, and also to the health of absent friends and mistresses, besides as many cups as the name contained letters. In this, however, and likewise in other particulars, banquets differed with the character of the guests; for a symposium of young men and one of philosophers and statesmen had different kinds of entertainment. The symposia of Plato and Plutarch give us a lively idea of such entertainments. From them we learn that, besides the conversation, which was sometimes of a serious and philosophic cast, but frequently consisted in sallies of wit and repartee, together with enigmas and riddles (a very favourite kind of amusement), they had also singing and other music. When the repast was ended, the flute-players, female singers, dancers, and buffoons, were introduced; or the guests themselves engaged in games of various kinds, among which the cottabas is famous. (See Cottabas.) At the close of solemn and splendid feasts the distribution of the apophoreta took place, which were presents given by the host to his friends to take home with them.