Travel Talks | Roman Feasts and Mosaic Floors

Conjure a Roman Empire feast, with scenes of opulent dining and guests reclining on couches after hours-long extravagant meals. The Romans knew how to display their power and wealth, but the spectacle wasn’t just on the table. Look down and discover the surprising story beneath their feet.

Step into the dining rooms of the ancient Roman Empire with food writer Kristin Griffin. Learn what Romans ate, how lavish feasts shaped culture and why mosaic floors designed to look like they were covered in food scraps became fashionable.

This unique Travel Talk about asarotos oikos ("unswept floors") mosaics draws on Griffin’s upcoming work in Eaten food history magazine and the spirit of the Oregon Stater’s rich storytelling around food and culture.

About the speaker:

Kristin Griffin is a senior instructor in the School of Writing, Literature, and Film. She writes fiction and is a freelance journalist with a special interest in telling stories through food. Her work has appeared in The Boston Globe, Portland Monthly, Taste and Serious Eats, among other venues. Before making the switch to writing, she edited cookbooks for America's Test Kitchen and Da Capo Lifelong Press.