Architriclinus

Architriclinus (Α᾿ρχιτρίκλινος, master of the triclinium or dinner-bed, SEE ACCUBATION ), rendered in Joh 2:8-9, "governor of the feast" (q.v.), equivalent to the Roman Magister Convivii. The Greeks also denoted the same social office by the title of Symposiarch (συμποσίρχος). He was not the giver of the feast, but one of the guests specially chosen to direct the entertainment, and promote harmony and good fellowship among the company. (See Potter's Gr. Ant. 2, 386.) In the apocryphal Ecclesiasticus (35:1, 2) the duties of this officer among the Jews are indicated. He is there, however, called ἡγούμενος: "If thou be made the master [of a feast], lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down; and when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast." (See Walch, De Architriclinio, Jen. 1753; Brendel, De loco Joh. Eisenb. 1785.) SEE BANQUET.