"At early-2nd century B.C.E., the historian Posidonius (circa. 135 B.C.E. – 50 B.C.E.), ancient Greek philosopher, geographer, and historian. noted as a characteristic feature of Roman customs the great sobriety of meals. For a long time at that time the Hellenic cities of the East and of Greece itself had adopted a very elaborate cuisine! This spread slowly in Rome and not without a little resistance. (Pierre Grimal)"