Ancient Greek Dining Spaces: The Rooms of the South Stoa at Corinth

Abstract

This paper explores the architectural manifestations for ritual and public dining spaces in the ancient Greek world as defined by architectural characteristics or other material remains. Hestiatoria have traditionally been defined as “dining spaces” on the basis of loose architectural distinctions, such as rooms set aside in sanctuaries, sometimes with off-center doorways, indications of klinai or other small finds that suggest dining. Rooms in stoas sometimes served for dining purposes, as is well attested, but the form of the complexes differs substantially. Can there be a more precise typology made of these buildings and the indicators which might suggest different practices? Are there specific differences architecturally between ritual dining and public dining? These and other considerations are addressed in conjunction with literary testimonia for dining practices in an attempt to bring into focus the varied architectural record.