EPISODE 14
ROME PART 2: The EMPIRE STRIKES BACCHUS
In this episode of Intoxicating History Tom Parker Bowles and Henry Jeffreys get together for another round of wine-fuelled storytellin, delving deeper into the indulgent, decadent world of Ancient Rome. In the The Empire Strikes Bacchus we explore the lavish and legendary banquets of Roman high society.
Step into the extravagant dining hall of Trimalchio—a nouveau riche freed slave famous for his legendary feasts, bizarre culinary theatrics, and, intriguingly, a wife who might have been Rome's version of a pole dancer. Discover how this fictional feast influenced F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby,' and learn what truly went down in these over-the-top Roman dinner parties, from pastry thrushes to wild boar served with theatrical flair.
Tom and Henry also journey through the kitchens of Apicius, the Roman world’s first celebrity chef, whose surprisingly modern recipes still tantalize the taste buds today. From dormice garnished with honey and poppy seeds to flamingo served in rich sauces, Roman tastes were anything but subtle.
Amidst tales of Caligula’s infamous banquets and the culinary extravagance that marked the decline of Roman austerity, the presenters unpack the politics of seating arrangements, wine quality, and the social drama playing out around every decadent dish. This is Roman history served up with flair—and perhaps just a hint of excess.
SOURCES
In "The Satyricon — Volume 02: Dinner of Trimalchio," Petronius Arbiter invites readers into a realm of decadence that epitomises the folly of excess within ancient Rome. This masterful satire details the infamous banquet of Trimalchio, a newly wealthy freedman whose gaudy displays of affluence reveal the absurdities lurking beneath the surface of high society. As guests engage in ludicrous conversations and partake in grotesque feasts, the narrative uncovers the moral decay and inflated ambitions of the nouveau riche, capturing a time when class distinctions are provocatively entangled. With sharp wit and incisive observations, Petronius crafts a vivid tableau of Roman life, illustrating the superficial values that govern his contemporaries. Celebrated for its linguistic ingenuity and astute social commentary, this volume of "The Satyricon" remains an enduring masterpiece—both a reflection of the past and a mirror to the present.