Petronius, author of the Satyrica, is a master of narrative and of mischievous humor. Of the portion of this work that remains, the most famous section is known as the Cena Trimalchionis—the "Banquet of Trimalchio." Here Trimalchio, a freedman who has become vulgarly wealthy, has staged a party of unimaginable lavishness. After letting all his guests arrive, he stages a late and ostentatious entrance. His frank and crass conversation shows that it takes more than money to elevate one's social class:

. . .Trimalchio waltzed in, mopped his brow, washed his hands in some scented water, and, after pausing a moment, said: "My friends, forgive me, but my stomach has been unresponsive for many days. The doctors are lost. Nonetheless, a concoction of pomegranate rind mixed up with pine sap boiled in vinegar has loosened things up a bit. I hope my stomach...