Famous Feasts in History Modern Roman Orgy

About the famous feast a modern Roman orgy held as a movie promotion in New York, menu, history, and description.

FABULOUS FEASTS THROUGHOUT HISTORY

The Occasion: A modern Roman orgy, the Forum of the 12 Caesars, New York City, 1960.

The Host: Movie magnate Joseph Levine, who was promoting his film Hercules Unchained.

The Menu: The several hundred guests enjoyed the following:

Pheasants of the Golden House on Silver Shields

Suckling Pigs Roasted in the Manner of Trimalchio

Pliny's Chicken in Nests with the Golden Eggs of Crassus

Lobsters of the Northern Seas (Served chilled.)

Cold Lamb in a Bouquet of Fresh Mint

The Noble Peacock in Its Imperial Plumage

Turbot Britannicus (The Roman senate actually debated which vessel was proper for cooking this magnificent fish.)

Silver Salmon Poached in Etruscan Wine

Truffle-Stuffed Quail Cleopatra, Wrapped in Macedonian Vine Leaves

Trout Bleu (A favorite sport of the old Romans was cooking live fish right at the table.)

Scotch Salmon Rolled with Caviar (Hadrian's discovery.)

Hams from the Herds of Epicurus Served with Ripe Figs

Filet of Beef with a Sauce of Red Wine, Marrow, and Onions

Young Ducklings in the Style of Apicius

Chickens and Game Hens in Clay (A favorite method of Roman cooking.)

A Tribute to Triton: A Variety of Steaming Shellfish in Falernian Wine and Cream

This is not to mention the hors d'oeuvres, or the vegetables, or the dessert courses.

Table Talk: Each guest was presented with a laurel wreath to wear, and lutes were strummed in the background. "Serving maidens" dressed in Roman togas and "live slaves" carried in the food. The lion led around the room on a chain made a few of the diners nervous.