The most extravagant meal in history was documented by a famous philosopher who wrote this 'book' for a certain Emperor. His demise eventuated from a natural disaster, in which a modern day term is associated with his name. Who is this writer, what was the title of the book, and who consumed that meal?

lanfranco

This must be the "banquet" given by Cleopatra for Mark Antony, at which she dissolved her pearls in sour wine (or vinegar) and drank them. The event is described by Pliny the Elder in the "Naturalis historia." Pliny famously died in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE while attempting to rescue others in his yacht. The word "plinian" describes the violent eruption of a previously dormant volcano. http://www.selectraders.co.uk/pearl-history-2.html Sep 06 05, 10:33 AM

gmackematix

D'oh! And there was me trying to tie in the satirical Banquet of Trimalchio in Petronius's "Satyricon" which was supposedly based on Nero with the aforementioned Pliny the Elder. This was tricky as Petronius committed suicide (as described by Pliny as it happens). I guess Cleopatra's meal even tops that of Trimalchio. Sep 06 05, 10:58 AM

peasypod

Yeehar. I knew somebody would drag up Trimalchio for this one, (if not, some ludicrous and tacky event out of the Guinness Book of Records, and leaving the rest of the information out..) but yes, Frankie you have it with the 'Pearl wager' of Cleopatra. Nice try gmack, and if you beg nicely I reckon the Maven might lend you his half of the Banana. Sep 06 05, 4:45 PM

gmackematix

Thanks, but I'm not sure I want to disturb Frankie when she's got the Banana... Sep 06 05, 5:58 PM

lanfranco

A good thing, too ... Sep 06 05, 6:35 PM