Dinner time has forever been the most important time of the day. It is time to gather around the table, embrace the love your parents have for you, and indulge in the delicious dishes served. Even in ancient days, family gatherings had great importance, and the significance of dinner has not changed too much. The only things that have been transferred are the dishes that are prepared. So what did dinner look like many centuries ago, and what has been preserved all this time?
Black Tie
If you are expected to arrive for a formal dinner dressed in your best tuxedo, then in ancient days, you will arrive in your pure white togas. There were no exceptions when dinner consisted only of your family, and unlike today, sitting around the wooden table in your pajamas was never heard of. Dinner time was much more than satisfying your tummy; It was time for showing off the best you had to wear.
To Start With
Before anything else came the appetizers. These would usually consist of Mediterranean delights such as olives and dates. The Mediterranean culinary statement was the main one people followed, and the dishes they prepared were warm and adventurous like the Mediterranean is. Cheese took center stage, and figs were not left behind either.
Main Course
Dinner was the main act of the day. Families would wait for dinner time all day and cherish every single moment as it arrived. The main curse, as its title, was the main event and usually consisted of some sort of roast, a delicious leg of lamb, or some sort of another wild animal. Like today, stews and casseroles, consisting of leftover meat and domestically grown vegetables, were commonly served too.
Liquid Refreshments
Wine has been part of our lives since biblical days, and it did not pass over the ancient days either. There was no feast without jugs of wine to decorate the table, and raising a glass was a significant part of the ancient dinner ceremony. Drinking a little too much was a common sight in ancient dinner gatherings.
Desserts
There was no ending without a sweet ending, and honey was a key ingredient in the ancient desserts chapter of the meal. The golden sweet delight would be generously poured over fresh fruit or soft cheese. Homemade pastries would accompany the luxurious pleasure, alongside more wine and happy company.
More Than Just Food
Dinner time in ancient days was much more than food. It was also time for games and storytelling. Children would gather around the heavy wooden table and anciently watch to hear a story, being real or made up. They would go on a journey to magical places, hero gladiators, and mythical figures of legend.
Food Glorious Food
A warm fireplace and dimmed light accompany the family dinner scene, and the delicious dishes are embraced by the waiting family. Dinner was a precious time, and just like today, a moment to say grace, a time to discover your family, and a precious moment to embrace one another and be merry. The simple things in life, like food, were appreciated by all, something that has not changed until this day.