Ancient Rome is a fascinating historical period in which incredible acts were performed but also extremely cruel . This civilization, which inherited its gods directly from Olympic pantheon , is known for its traditions and especially because its original territory is the place where the language emerged that gave rise to many of the languages spoken in the world: Latin. Among the customs of this culture, highlights a very popular and unpleasant that is often related to the word vomitory or vomitorium .
It is told as an anecdote of opulence and excess in Ancient Rome that the Romans vomited to continue enjoying the food at their parties, and that, far from being a lack of education, was considered a symbol of education. Was this the function of vomitorium or vomitory ? Serve as a container to collect the purge needed by the ancient Romans to continue eating without measure?
What was the vomitory or vomitorium Roman
While many believe that the vomitorium or vomiturium was a container intended to gather the vomit of diners trying to make room in your digestive system to continue gobbling, the truth is that he vomitorium of the Ancient Rome I did not have this end . Despite their name, the vomitoria did not serve to vomit. In fact, they had nothing to do with any kind of container.
The term vomitorium is a term used in the fourth century to describe the areas of the buildings public that served to "vomit" people inside or outside of the areas where they had to be. For example, him Roman Coliseum It had 76 vomitoria through which 50,000 people could reach their seats in the stands in 15 minutes.
In other words, the vomitory or vomitorium is not a symbol of Roman excess, but a sign of his obsession with effectiveness and the efficiency , which was also reflected in his architectural works.
Is there something more orderly than designing specific entrances and exits so that the spectators do not accumulate, avoiding the chaos that should characterize other spaces of the time?
The origin of the confusion arising from vomitorium
The confusion of the term vomitorium emerged in the decade 1920 , when a comic by writer Aldous Huxley included a brief - and erroneous - mention of the term. Years later, in 1961 , the sociologist, historian, philosopher of techno-science, philologist and urban planner Lewis Mumford defined in his work The city in history a vomitorium like a room where there were dining rooms where diners could vomit. And, since there seemed to be few willing to discuss the point, and more coming from a person with that resume, the definition got stuck in an error.
Although the vomitorium did not have the function that we believed in the Roman tradition, there are other places in the world where a vomitorium has everything to do with vomiting.
In Vietnam, For example, him vomitorium is a washbasin designed to vomit , and it is a staple in the big beer clubs clubs that are appearing. The vomitorium, which is often located in a bathroom, is clearly marked with signs illustrating the use of the lavatory, as well as the unambiguous instructions. Special sumps for vomiting have been used for decades in german fraternity houses and beer establishments, as well as other areas throughout Europe.
With this background, and with the help of etymology, it is easy to confuse the actual use of the Roman vomitorium. And speaking of etymology, do you want to know more about it?
Vomitorium in Latin: Etymology
The word vomitory Comes from latin vomitorium. He vomitorium designates the entrances and exits that from interior passageways led to the stands in the Roman buildings for public spectacles, that is to say theaters, amphitheatres and circuses.
Name vomitorium it is derived from verbs vomere Y vomit, that not only mean to vomit in Latin, but figuratively throwing or driving out something . In this second sense, the vomitorios led an immense crowd to the stands of the much-frequented public spectacles of ancient Rome.
There is also an adjective vomitorius in Latin that designates those products that are emetic or vomitive and cause vomiting when it is necessary for the improvement of a gastrointestinal patient.
The verb vomere , where vomiting and vomiting also come from is linked to an Indo-European root (vomiting), which in Greek gave rise to the verb vomitar, from which comes the word emetic (product or vomitive drug).
Have you also been surprised that the vomitorium during the time of Ancient Rome had nothing to do with throwing up in banquets?
If you have interest in knowing more curiosity linked to ancient history, do not miss Cannabis in Ancient Rome .
Images: Accurimbono , Bill Toenjes , Juli