Roman Food Research Paper

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" It's the little things, that make a big difference" is a quote that has probably been heard by everyone once in their life (Unknown). This idea is greatly seen through ancient history. The story of something as trivial as Roman food reflects the story of something greater: the Roman people; it highlights differences between the classes. when contrasting the food and dining style the impoverished and wealthy ate and practiced. To begin with, there was a huge, notable difference between the social classes of the Roman Empire. They were divided among the patricians, plebeians, and finally the poverty-stricken or slaves.The patricians were the highest and most noble citizens, The plebeians were the common folk. The impoverished were at the…show more content…
The impoverished families were clearly the unlucky ones. Due to their economic struggles, the majority of the time they simply ate beans, peas, cereal grain, bland porridge, and bran bread (Gill) (“Roman Food & Drink”). Furthermore, the poverty-stricken also ate goat's meat on special occasions and salt fish due to its cheap price ("Roman Food." Classics Unveiled). There was a slave drink called posca, where the slave would "mix vinegar with enough water to make it drinkable" (¨Roman Food and Drink¨). As for the dining etiquette, the impecunious families just ate from ¨normal tables and chairs¨ like American society today (Alchin. "Ancient Roman…show more content…
He wrote the following: “We were taken into the next room where we found three couches drawn up and a table, very luxuriously laid out, awaiting us.We were invited to take our seats. Immediately, Egyptian slaves came in and poured ice water over our hands. The starters were served. On a large tray stood a donkey made of bronze. On its back were two baskets, one holding green olives, and the other black. On either side were dormice, dipped in honey and rolled in poppy seed. nearby, on a silver grill, piping hot, lay small sausages. As for wine, we were fairly swimming in it." (“Roman Food” History Learning Site). This primary source is a

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