Bacchus Uncorked: A Roman Dinner Party Lost at Sea

An ancient Roman dinner party was not a simple affair. Elite Romans sourced luxury objects from all around the Mediterranean to impress and delight their dinner guests. While enjoying wine from Greece and Italy, diners could recline on Greek couches covered in fabrics from India and the East. They toasted with glassware from Egypt and the Near East, and enjoyed dishes flavored with spices from the Arabian Peninsula. Underwater archaeologist Carrie Atkins presents the evidence of such extravagant items discovered in shipwrecks from the first century BCE, showcasing how transportation networks of ships crisscrossing the Mediterranean supported an opulent lifestyle. Following Carrie’s presentation, wine educator Diego Meraviglia introduces a selection of Italian wines from Tuscany, Campania, and Sicily, each with connections to Roman shipping networks and estates like the ancient model for the Getty Villa. Then, head outdoors to the gardens and enjoy a summer evening mingling with new friends over wine, food, and conversation. This program is generously supported by the Getty Museum Villa Council.