“Ancient Romans used to vomit between courses at feasts so they could eat more”

The enduring belief that ancient Romans used "vomitoria" to purge themselves at feasts to consume more food is a widespread historical misunderstanding. The Latin word "vomitorium" indeed derives from "vomo," meaning "to spew forth," but in an architectural context, it referred to the grand passages in amphitheaters and stadiums. These were designed for the rapid egress of large crowds, metaphorically "spe