19.12.25: Comenius (1658) LVIII: a Banquet [1] Part 1: text, notes and vocabulary

Latin has a very wage range of vocabulary associated with dining although it is not always easy to identify what precisely the Romans were talking about when referring to, for example, crockery and utensils, and translations can vary because several words can have the same definition. Similarly, the way in which a 17^th century text uses the terms can be different. However, with a couple of exceptions, the vocabulary is all attested in Classical Latin.

In the Wiktionary listings, it is worth scrolling down to the “references” section which will give links to Harper’s Dictionary of Classical Antiquities and A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (William Smith) that provide more detailed descriptions (sometimes with illustrations) and further links to vocabulary in context.

It’s good to make some visual link to definitions. Where possible, I’ve tried to find images of specific Roman artefacts and their differences, and which have been given descriptions from several and / or reliable sources that match the definitions here e.g. the Metropolitan Museum, items sold at auction houses etc.

When a Feast is made ready, the table is covered with Carpets, 1. and a Table-cloth, 2. by the Waiters, who besides lay the Trenchers, 3. Spoons, 4. Knives, 5. with little Forks, 6. Table-napkins, 7. Bread, 8. with a Salt-cellar, 9.

Cum Convīvium apparātur, Mēnsa sternitur Tapētibus, 1. & Mappā, 2. ā Triclīniāriīs*, quī prætereā oppōnunt Discōs (Orbēs), 3. Cochleāria, 4. Cultrōs, 5. cum Fuscinulīs, 6. Mappulās, 7. Pānem, 8. cum Salīnō, 9.

Messes [ = courses at dinner] are brought in Platters, 10. a Pie*, 19. on a Plate.

Fercula inferuntur in Patinis, 10. Artocreas,* 19. in Lance.

Notes:

[i] *Two rare words appear in this text:

triclin(i)ārius, -a, -um: adjective referring to the dining room;  from triclīnium, -ī [2/n]: Ancient Roman dining room furnished with reclining couches (usually in three parts) around three sides of a table; the word triclin(i)ārius, used here as a noun to refer to a waiter, is not attested in Classical Latin

artocreas, artocreātis [3/n]: meat pie; very rare word; loan word from Anc. Gk. ἀρτόκρεας (artokreas) artos = bread; krea = meat i.e. bread-meat (you will probably never see the word again)

[ii] passive forms

cum convīvium apparātur │ when the feast is being prepared

mēnsa sternitur tapētibus│ the table is covered with cloths (carpets)

fercula inferuntur│ the dishes / courses are brought in

Vocabulary

[1]

convīvium, -ī [2/m]: banquet; feast

Boar’s Head Carol (15^th c.)

The boar's head in hand bring I,

Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.

And I pray you, my masters, be merry

Quot estis in convīviō │ as many of you who are at the feast

[2]

coc(h)lear, coc(h)leāris [3/n]: spoon; the word is derived from coc(h)lea, -ae [1/f]: snail shell; Engl: (anatomy) the spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear

culter, cultrī [2/m]: [i] knife [ii] razor

fuscinula, -ae [1/f]: small three-pronged fork; -ul- indicates a diminutive i.e. a smaller version of the original noun, in this case fuscina, -ae [1/f]: trident; three-pronged spear

[3]

[i] discus, -ī [2/m] had the same meaning as it does now i.e. a discus or a quoit used in athletics and gymnastics. However, owing to its shape, it could also refer to a sundial or a dish or plate. Let’s hope that what was served up on that 17^th century platter wasn’t the same as this one:

Dā mihi, inquit, hīc in discō caput Jōannis Baptistae. (Vulgate) │  “Give me,” she said “John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”

The term ‘trencher’ in the text is an archaic / historical term for any plate on which food is served.

[ii] ferculum, -ī [2/n]: any kind of tray on which objects (including food) are carried; at a banquet it could be used to bring several food items at once; extended meaning of courses at dinner

https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0062:entry=ferculum-harpers

[iii] lanx, lancis [3/f]: dish; platter; plate

[iv] patina, -ae [1/f]: broad, shallow dish; it has a diminutive (smaller) form i.e. patella, -ae [1/f] small dish / pan; plate

[v] salīnum, -ī [2/n]: salt cellar

[4]

[i] mappa, -ae [1/f] (CL): napkin; in the text it refers to a table-cloth; mappula, -ae [1/f]: the diminutive form with -ul- is not attested in Classical Latin although the meaning is clear; Comenius uses it to identify a “small” table-cloth i.e. a napkin

[ii] tapēte, -is [3/n]: referred to a decorative cloth e.g. a wall hanging; Comenius describes it as “carpet” but I doubt he is referring to anything on the floor, more likely a thick woven cloth that would protect the table. Fr: tapis (carpet) and Gmn: Tapete (wallpaper); the word came into Middle English with a slight “debate” as to its spelling: tapesteri, tapestre, tapestry, tapestrye, tapiestre, tapistery, tapistree, tapistri, tapistrie, tappestry, tapstery, tapstre, tapstri. Note: the “winner” was the third one!

*Image #1 note the reference to the Hoxne Hoard, “the largest hoard of late Roman silver and gold discovered in Britain, and the largest collection of gold and silver coins of the fourth and fifth centuries found anywhere within the former Roman Empire” (Wikiepedia)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoxne_Hoard