Bee Wilson

Sometimes the buzz of reading about others eating comes from the voyeuristic thrill of seeing how the other half lives: the gold leaf and truffles or - in the case of Trimalchio's feast in Petronius' 'Satyricon' - the dormice and honey.

British Journalist

Dormice belong to the group of animals called rodents, like mice and squirrels.

Animal Category

Dormice are known for their long periods of sleep, even referenced in some cultures as sleepy.

Sleeping Habit

Although 'mouse' is part of its name, a dormouse is not the same as a typical house mouse.

Not a House Mouse

 No, instead, you would be served probably a lot of porridge, some vegetable -- mostly cabbage -- some cheese, and maybe if you're lucky, the absolute delicacy of that time -- mmm, perfectly cooked fattened dormice.

Dormouse