MEALS.

The meals were the JENTACULUM, PRANDIUM, and COENA. The first was our
breakfast, though served at an early hour, sometimes as early as four
o'clock. It consisted of bread, cheese, and dried fruits. The prandium
was a lunch served about noon. The coena, or dinner, served between
three and sunset, was usually of three courses. The first course
consisted of stimulants, eggs, or lettuce and olives; the second,
which was the main course, consisted of meats, fowl, or fish, with
condiments; the third course was made up of fruits, nuts, sweetmeats,
and cakes.

At elaborate dinners the guests assembled, each with his napkin and
full dress of bright colors. The shoes were removed so as not to soil
the couches. These couches usually were adapted for three guests, who
reclined, resting the head on the left hand, with the elbow supported
by pillows. The Romans took the food with their fingers. Dinner was
served in a room called the TRICLINIUM. In Nero's "Golden House," the
dining-room was constructed like a theatre, with shifting scenes to
change with every course.


DRESS.--BATHING.

The Roman men usually wore two garments, the TUNICA and TOGA. The
former was a short woollen under garment with short sleeves. To have a
long tunic with long sleeves was considered a mark of effeminacy. The
tunic was girded round the waist with a belt. The toga was peculiarly