First Century kitchen page 11

First Century kitchen page 11 by ric gustafson


A first century banquet started with invitations. A servant delivered these and sometimes it was done verbally. More people were invited to a wedding feast than a dinner party. At a banquet, men would be involved in conversation and the same discussions.
The feast began in an anteroom. The guests had their feet washed and anointed with oil. The task of feet washing was given to a slave or servant. After the feet washing and the right hand was washed, a glass of wine was offered. Once all the guests had arrived, they were taken into the banquet room.
The meal consisted of a first course of appetizers and then a second course of a main dish. A typical banquet room held nine couches and guests were assigned to them based on rank in society. A banquet host secured the menu, prepared the guest list, provided the location and the order of seating on the couches.
Later, a time of drinking wine and entertainment ensued. A wine steward decided the rules for drinking wine such as the ratio of wine to water and how full the goblets would be. Things that happened for entertainment included music, poetry readings, riddles, drinking games and sometimes dancers, acrobats and music ensembles. Music could include a flute girl or people playing the harp or flute. Three popular snacks during the banquet included figs, dates and pomegranates.
Next we will talk about a first century wedding feast.


research help: ' The Food and Feasts of Jesus' by Douglas Neel and Joel Pugh


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric