Most Romans lived in insulae, apartment buildings of perhaps six floors, with the poorest residents occupying the cheaper upper floors. An average Roman male citizen arose before dawn, arranged his toga, and breakfasted on a piece of bread. Then out into the alleys, reverberating with noise. First, a stop at a public latrine, where he chatted with neighbors. Next a visit to his honored patron, who paid him his daily stipend. Lunch might be a piece of bread dipped in wine or olive oil, perhaps with a bit of cold meat. Bathing waited until late afternoon, when he met his friends at the public baths. There he lingered—conversing, exercising, reading, or admiring the artwork—until dinnertime. The main meal of the day was taken lying on couches, with his slaves in attendance. Then it was bedtime. Roman matrons, apart from their time at the baths (usually earlier than the men), spent the entire day at home, running the household.

Roman toga

Feasts held by wealthy Romans were usually extravagant affairs, served by slaves and eaten lying on couches, sometimes under garden pergolas.