The Triclinium in my villa is in the rear, not far from the Peristyle garden. Here we have three couches, set up in a "U" formation with enough space in the body of the "U" for small tables full of fingerfoods. Romans use spoons and knives, but no forks, so in addition to the tables with foods, there were finger-bowls and towls profferred by the household slaves.

My father was a Stoic, and I rather follow his lead in providing simple, country food rather than the lavish gourmet meals of some of my friends . . . although I enjoy eating them away from home! Like most Roman triclinia, there is room for up to nine people to dine. If I need to give a larger party, I usually wait until the weather is warm, then use the Peristyle garden.

Some graphics courtesy of The Villa at Boscoreale.