4849

4849 ~συμπόσιον~ sumposion \@soom-pos’-ee-on\@ from a derivative of the alternate of 4844; ; n n AV-company 1, not tr. 1; Repeated twice in Mark 6:39

1) a drinking party, entertainment

1a) of the party itself, the guests

1b) rows of guests

"The symposium (or symposion) was an important part of ancient Greek culture from the 7th century BCE and was a party held in a private home where Greek males gathered to drink, eat and sing together. Various topics were also discussed such as philosophy, politics, poetry and the issues of the day."

" The equivalent of a Greek symposium in Roman society is the Latin convivium."

A Roman convivium according to Marcus Tullius Cicero for the republican period and Seneca suggest that ten to twelve was the maximum number.

Plato in his "Laws" endorses the benefits of the symposium as a means to test and promote virtue in citizens.