TRICLINIUM  , in

Roman antiquities, a set of three couches (lecti) arranged round a four-sided dining table, one side of which was left open to provide free access for the attendant slaves . These couches were distinguished as the highest (A, lectus summus), the middle (B, lectus medius) and the lowest (C, lectus imus); the guests who reclined on B had A on their left and Con their right . Each couch was usually occupied by three persons, whose left arm rested on a cushion, the right hand being thus disengaged for purposes of eating . The nine places were allotted in accordance with strict etiquette . A and B were reserved for the guests (B for the most distinguished), C for the host and his family . In A and C the chief place was 1; in B it was 3- which 3 2 1 imus 3 medius 2 summus 1 was consequently the place of honour at the banquet . It was called locus consularis (fnrarucbc), probably as being next to the host . Another explanation is that, since it was on the open and unsupported side of the couch, it was chosen in order that, if a consul happened to be present among the guests, he might be able to receive communications, sign documents or transact business with the least inconvenience . It the locus classicus in Horace (Satires, ii . 8, 20-23), which describes the banquet given by Nasidienus in honour of Maecenas, the host appears I summus 2 medius 3 imus B C A to have resigned his place to Nomentanus, as being more capable of entertaining the guest of the evening . In later republican times, after the introduction of round tables of citrus wood, the three couches were replaced by one of crescent shape (called sigma from the form C of the Greek letter; also stibadium and accubitum), which as a rule was only intended to hold five persons . The two corner seats (cornua) were the places of honour, that on the right being considered superior .

The remaining seats were reckoned from left to right, so that the least important seat was on the left side of the most important . The use of the sigma continued till the middle ages . The dining-

room itself was also called triclinium, and in the houses of wealthy Romans there were several triclinia suited to the different seasons of the year . See Marquardt, Das Privatleben der Romer (1886), p . 302 .