Romans used vomitoriums to vomit during feasts
| Romans used vomitoriums to vomit during feasts | |
|---|---|
| FALSE | |
| "Wealthy ancient Romans had special rooms called vomitoriums where they would vomit during banquets so they could continue eating." | |
| Domain | History |
| Tactic | False Context |
| Era | Historical |
| First seen | 1920s |
| Origin | A misunderstanding of the Latin word vomitorium, which referred to passageways in amphitheaters and stadiums, popularized in the 20th century |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-27 |
| Further reading: books on History | |
The claim that Romans used vomitoriums to vomit during feasts is a popular misconception about Roman excess. In Latin, a vomitorium was a passageway in an amphitheater or theater through which crowds exited, or "spewed forth," at the end of a performance. The word comes from the verb vomere, meaning to spew or discharge, and the fifth-century writer Macrobius used it to describe how these passages poured people out into the streets. There is no evidence that Romans built rooms for vomiting. Some ancient writers did describe individuals vomiting during or after meals, often to criticize gluttony, but this was not a standard practice or associated with special rooms.
What the evidence shows
- Original meaning. Macrobius's Saturnalia refers to vomitoria as passages that disgorge crowds. Archaeologists use the term for entrances and exits in amphitheaters such as the Colosseum.
- Ancient criticism. Writers such as Seneca criticized people who vomited in order to eat more, describing it as a moral failing rather than an accepted custom.
- Modern misunderstanding. The association of the word with vomiting rooms appears to have spread in the 20th century, appearing in novels and popular histories.
- Archaeology. No room designed for vomiting has been identified in Roman houses or dining spaces.
Why it persists
The word sounds like it means a place for vomiting, and the image fits stereotypes of decadent Roman feasts. Popular media has repeated the idea.
Lessons for readers
- Words can be misinterpreted based on how they sound.
- Check the original meaning of historical terms.
- Moralizing ancient sources describe individual behavior, not universal customs.
- Stereotypes about past societies can create myths.
See also
- Gladiators always fought to the death
- Nero fiddled while Rome burned
- Chastity belts were common in the Middle Ages
Sources
- Macrobius, Saturnalia, 6.4.3.
- Mary Beard, SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome (Liveright, 2015).