Tips for a Great Roman Party

Are you bored of the same kind of normal party?figs and raisins were passed.
Looking for something unusual and different. Read onAt the close of the meal the Roman custom of
the article and get a new dashing and delightful ideasfreeing the slaves for the day and crowning one of
about a "Roman Party".them King was observed, only in this case the slaves
"I think the Romans had the right idea. Why should wewere all girls, so the Lords crowned a Queen.
sit up to eat our meals?" This remark by Hal to hisImmediately the ex-slave Queen ordered all the Lords
fellow Latin class members started the ball rolling for ato Hades to receive judgment for the way they had
really different party.bossed the slaves during dinner. Each Lord chose an
The girls in the crowd got together and dreamed upex-slave lady to accompany him.
the party. They made invitations out of stiff ManilaTo reach Hades it was necessary, of course, for each
paper to represent a Roman scroll and sent theone to cross the river Styx which was well guarded,
following proclamation to their classmates:according to Roman mythology, by Cerberus, the
Oh Noble Lords: We your slaves ask you to dine whilethree-headed dog. The river Styx was a strip of floor
you recline in truly Roman fashion, at the home ofcovered solidly with twigs and sticks. Three boys
Ginny Reynolds on Saturday at six o'clock. Pleaseunder one blanket, except for their heads,
dress in togas and sandals.impersonated the dog. The three heads made
The night of the dinner the arriving guests were indeedconsiderable noise with their barking.
a sight for astonished eyes. Their togas, upon closeWhen all had crossed the dangerous river each victim
inspection, turned out to be cleverly draped bed sheets.paid obeisance to Pluto, king of the underworld. Then
Their sandals smacked of beach wear. The school'seach Lord or Lady appeared before three judges to
football captain bound his crew-cut hair with a Romanplead his or her cause. The three judges were chosen
headband.from the erstwhile slaves.
The dinner was served on folded card tables placedIf the judges decided that the prisoner's lordly manner
flat on the floor. Plate doilies were used and the placeat dinner was natural and not acquired, he was sent to
cards were tiny Roman scrolls wound on toothpicks.the Elysian Fields. But alas and alack, few were found
Blankets were spread along the tables upon which theto be without fault, and the guilty were promptly
guests reclined. The dining room was candle lighted.condemned to Hades. They were, however, given a
The girls, acting as Roman slaves, served the recliningchance to redeem themselves. Each was ordered to
Lords their dinner. The first course consisted of devileddo a stunt which would meet the approval of Pluto.
eggs on lettuce, stuffed celery, olives and crackers.Some of the stunts assigned to the guilty would do
There were no knives, forks or spoons. Everythingcredit to a truth-or-consequence program. Two of the
was eaten with the fingers.most studious lads were blindfolded and given bean
The main course consisted of cold meat, string beans,bags to throw at each other. Each lad to succeed in
carrots, and buttered buns. Grape juice and lemonplacating Pluto must hit another lad with the bean bag
punch was served with the dinner. Dessert wasbefore he could be released from Hades.
individual pumpkin pies. Trays of dried prunes, apricots,