Petronius Satire

A modern historian may use Petronius’ satire as evidence of actual practices at dinner parties if the historian understands the intricacies and exaggerations of Roman satire. Petronius’ satire, The Satyricon, was the first in a new line of literature, it utilised the common techniques and idiosyncrasies of Roman satire however, also introduced an element of realism never before seen, offering societal critiques on commonplace practices. Modern historians examining ancient roman practices and etiquette have gained quite a lot of information from studying roman literature. Roman literature like all literature since carry substantial amount of contextual explanation, which can allow for a modern historian to examine in detail to find the truth
Petronius was courtier and literary poet of the 1st century A.D, under the reign of Emperor Nero. Emperor Nero succeed the throne from his great-uncle Claudius in 54 A.D. after his death by dubious circumstances. Nero ascended the throne at at seventeen, mentally ill-equipped for the mountainous job ahead. Nero was a great lover of the arts, engaging in music, and dancing, as well as athletics himself and Petronius was “one who made luxury a fine art” (J. Sullivan, 1977, 9). Nero saw promise in Petronius and he soon appointed the courtier to be the Empire’s “Arbiter of Elegance” (J. Sullivan, 1977, 9). Petronius concerned himself with many different genres and styles of writing, which can be easily identifiable from a glance at the style and subject matter of the Satyricon. The Satyricon is Petronius’ most renowned work, the story follows the adventures of the hero and protagonist, Encolpius. The Satyricon has been sectioned into books, only certain books have remained, and it is unknown whether any of the books are truly complete. The setting, and plot of each book is varies immensely, as does the writing style, and Encolpius’ impact on the physical progression of the plot (J, Sullivn, 1977, 9). Book 8 of Petronius’ Satyricon, is called ‘Dinner with Trimalchio’ and describes an extravagant dinner party with the
Some of the areas described in this book, include the food, service, venue, entertainment and extravagance, social etiquette, and the overall importance of Dinner parties in Ancient Rome. The dishes served at the party are outrageously extravagant as is the theme throughout the dinner, a large boar is served, and a boy “made a great stab at the boar’s side and as he struck, out flew a flock of thrushes” (Petronius Arbiter in Sullivan, 1977, 55). This allows for historians to understand the type of foods available to the Roman elite, in combination with other sources a historian could infer, the type of foods commonly available to the Roman people. The service personal at the party are very frequently defined, they are often served by “boys from Alexandria” (48) and are a combination of slaves, and servants. The serving staff often double as the entertainment, “Four dancers huddled forward in time to the music and removed the upper part of the great dish” (Petronius Arbiter in Sullivan, 1977, 51). The entertainment is incredibly diverse and ranges from a live orchestra, singers, and even, at one point in the meal, acrobats. The venue of this dinner party is lavishly decorated, “A golden cage from which a spotted magpie greeted visitors” (Petronius Arbiter in Sullivan, 1977, 46), as well as a “terribly elegant” (Petronius