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Inscription
of
a
(Sreek
Banquet
BEFORE
the
invited
guest
went
to
the
entertainment
he
made
his
toilette:
that
is,
he
bathed,
perfumed
him-
self,
and
donned
his
best
clothes
and
shoes.
The
table
was
usually
spread
in
the
andronitis,
or
reception
room
for
men,
and
the
guest,
after
exchang-
ing
salutations
with
his
entertainers,
took
the
place
assigned
to
him,
the
most
honorable
being
that
at
the
side
of
the
host.
Servants
removed
the
shoes
of
the
guests
and
purified
the
feet
from
the
dust
of
the
streets.
Then
they
reclined
upon
couches
with
bright
coverings
and
hangings,
resting
the
left
arm
upon
a cushion,
so
as
to
leave
the
right
hand
free.
As
a
rule,
there
were
two
guests
to
each
couch.
Before
each
the
slaves
placed
a
table
spread
with
viands,
and
brought
meat,
fish,
and
sauces
in
dishes,
and
bread,
cakes,
and
fruit
in
baskets.
The
guest
had no
plate
nor
knife
for
him-
self,
and
as
for
forks,
they
were
unknown,
but
a
spoon
was
placed
at
his
disposal.
The
meat
was
served
cut
into
small
pieces,
which
he
took
with
the
fingers
of
the
right
hand,
and
dipped
into
the
sauces.
After
the
meal,
as
before
it,
the
servants
carried
around
water
to
wash
the
hands,
and
during
the
meal
the
fingers
were
wiped,
if
necessary,
on
bread
or
a
piece
of
dough
placed
for
the
purpose.
The
repast
usually
consisted
of
two
courses,
of
which
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