Roman Table Talk
Characters
Appius (A): The son (Eldest by 3 years, he is 16)
Julia (J): The daughter (youngest by 3 years, she is 13)
Silvia(S): The Mother
Nerva (N): The Father
N: Ah this cena looks wonderful Silvia my dear.
S: Why thank you Nerva. How was your day at the palace?
N: It was exquisite I was promoted to head guard so I went out and bought you this for the cena (Nerva holds up a piece of boar meat and a bottle of wine very uncommon for a poor family because if they ever had wine it is typically cheap and tastes like vinegar) Maybe you can cook it before our children get home?
S: Indeed I can.
(An hour and a half later the meat is cooked and all is ready except the children aren’t home)
N: where could those children of ours be?
S: I do not know my dear
(Just then a slam of a door opening and Appius and Julia rush through the door)
A: What’s for cena mother?
J: Indeed what is for cena mother dearest?
S: Well its gustatio as usual then prima mensa and finally secunda mensa.
J: Oh you know what I meant mother.
A: Father how was it at the plaice today?
N: Ah my son come close and I will tell you... (Appius advances towards his father) I was promoted
today my son…
A: Too what father?
N: To head guard.
A: Hurray Father how wonderful.
S: Alright will you two sit down Cena has been ready for awhile now.
A: Yes mother
J: Yes mother.
N: We have a very special gustatio tonight.
S: Alright here you go (she said as she put 4 bowls of salad on the table and a large bowl of boiled
eggs)
*As the ate gustatio*
N: So what happened at school today son?
A: A slave boy tried to fight Leonius’s son Otho
S: Oh my!
J: So what did Otho do brother?
A: he called the guards to take him away and said “Listen Jew! I am your better now leave my sight.
N: BAH!
A: father?
N: In my day you didn’t use your privileges to show your dominance. If a slave challenged you to a
fight you fight him…and win!
S: But Nerva dear you remember Otho he is a small weak child
N: Bah it makes no difference. I think I’ll have a talk with Leonius tomorrow at the palace.
A: fine
J: Mother can we have prima Mensa now please…? (She pleaded)
S: Fine come help me serve it then Julia.
*In a few moments Julia and Silvia were back with the cooked boar meat, wine, and carrots*
*As the ate Silvia talked about how their eldest son Vitus who was 22 was in the roman army*
S: Vitus has been sent away today Julia.
A: What!
S: what wrong son?
A: That lying bastard said he would wait till I was 18 and we would join together.
N: Watch your foul tongue boy!
A: sorry.
*they ate the rest of the meal in silence and they all skipped Secunda Mensa which was fresh apples*
By: Mack Jenkins
