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 17th
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
(15th 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]
cochleārium, -ī
[2/n]: spoon; also: 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 17th
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
[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
