Pliny - Discrimination At A Dinner Party Flashcards
Who was this written to and what was it about?
His friend Avitus
Advising him not to discriminate at dinner parties based on class, and avoid the extremes (luxury and meanness)
What number letter is this?
Letter 2.6
Quote x 2 - How did Pliny see the host of the dinner party vs how the host saw himself?
Host thought he was “elegant and economical” - suggests not everyone agrees with Pliny
“Seemed both mean and at the same time extravagant” - worst of both worlds -> not generous (e.g. avidienus) -> also extravagant (e.g. trimalchio)
Pliny agrees with the idea of balance, golden mean that is emphasised by Horace
What 2 things did the host do to save money?
He gave some people good quality food, and others bad quality, cheap food
Divided the wine into 3 flasks (of varying quality) to ensure he could control who got what type of wine - he gave the illusion of choice - controlled, unpleasant experience
Quote x 2 - What is Pliny’s view on dinner parties and people at them (in terms of social class)?
“I invite people to dinner, not to degradation” - firmly against discrimination
Talking about freedmen - “I consider them dining companions, not freedment” - he suspends the idea of social classes - status doesn’t matter at all dinner party DESPITE the hierarchical nature of Roman society
These parties were a place to discuss political and social opinions -> as shown by the two quotes above from Pliny talking to his friend at a dinner party (about classism at dinner parties) -> also like encolpius talking to petronius
What is the person Pliny is talking to’s take on Pliny’s views?
He disagrees with him, believes that it is expensive to not discriminate (assumes you have to serve everyone highest quality food) - shows not everyone agrees with Pliny
How does Pliny afford to treat everyone the same at dinner parties?
He uses self-control, restraining his appetite so he can share with people - shows Pliny’s key values of modesty, balance, equality, self-control - links to Horace’s epicurean values
Quote - What is Pliny’s main message to his friend?
Luxury and meanness are “disgraceful” when apart, and “even more disgraceful” when together - advising him to avoid the extremes and live modestly
