Against the insane extravagance in the employment of foreign perfumery the sumptuary laws interfered in vain.
But the real focus in which the brilliance of this genteel life was concentrated was the table.

Extravagant prices--as much as 100,000 sesterces (1000 pounds)--were paid for an exquisite cook.

Houses were constructed with special reference to this object, and the villas in particular along the coast were provided with salt-water tanks of their own, in order that they might furnish marine fishes and oysters at any time fresh to the table.

A dinner was already described as poor, at which the fowls were served up to the guests entire and not merely the choice portions, and at which the guests were expected to eat of the several dishes and not simply to taste them.

They procured at a great expense foreign delicacies and Greek wine, which had to be sent round at least once at every respectable repast.