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ERICH LESSING / ART RESOURCE, NY

SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE. Despite its popularity among the elites of Roman Judea, triclinium-style dining did not trickle down to all levels of society. In most non-elite settings, such as in the northern town of Capernaum, dining took a completely different form: those enjoying the meal sat on reed mats, ate from shared cooking vessels (such as the pot and “casserole” dishes shown here), and drank from shared cups. In all likelihood, this mode of dining corresponds most closely to the historical reality of the Last Supper.