Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Triclinium

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

TRICLI'NIUM (τρίκλινον). Does not imply a single tricliniary couch (lectus tricliniaris), but the conjunction of three dining couches arranged together (Varro, L. L. ix. 9. Id. R. R. iii. 13. 2. Macrob. Sat. ii. 9.), so as to form three sides of a square, leaving a vacant space in the centre for the dining-table, and the fourth side open for the servants to enter and place the trays upon it. A triclinium thus constituted was in general intended for the reception of nine persons, three on each couch; but that precise number was not rigorously enjoined, for sometimes the places were not all filled; at others, the couches were only adapted to receive a single person (see the wood-cut s. ACCUBITUM), so that the party would not consist of more than three; and in the example (Triclinium/1.1) here introduced, though the two sides accommodate three each, no less than seven individuals repose upon the cross end. The original bas-relief from which the illustration is taken, was found at Padua (formerly Patavium), a good deal corroded, but still retaining sufficient details to afford an accurate notion of the exact manner in which the three couches of a triclinium were disposed with the company upon them; though in this instance they are not absolutely couches (lecti), but permanent bases of masonry, of the same character as those shown in the preceding illustration, upon each of which a mattress was laid, as seen under the bodies of the recumbent figures. If a table like that of the last cut were placed in the centre the whole scene would be complete. The figures on the left side are still reclining as at dinner; those on the right, already replete, have turned on their backs to take a siesta (Juv. i. 56. Ov. Am. ii. 5. 13.), while the rest of the party, at the further end of the triclinium, are enjoying their cups. The scene may possibly represent a funeral feast (silicernium); or, more probably, a drinking party after a feast (comissatio, symposium), to which it was customary to invite other companions besides the dinner guests; and thus the extra numbers crowded upon the furthest mattress would be accounted for.

2. A dining-room, in which the triclinium was laid out. (Cic. Or. ii. 65. Phaedr. iv. 24. Pet. Sat. 22. 3. Vitruv. vi. 6. 7. Ib. 7. 4.) Several apartments of this kind have been exposed to view in the houses of Pompeii, mostly small, and with fixed basements, instead of moveable couches, for the occupants to recline upon, as shown by the two preceding wood-cuts (see image Triclinium/1.1 in this article and image Trichila/1.1 in the article Trichila); but it will be understood that other dining-rooms, originally fitted with regular couches, have lost their characteristic features by the removal of the furniture belonging to them.

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  Triclinium/1.1