Pompeii: A Novel

At Ampliatus's banquet, Popidius believes there are "too many guests" (145). Despite his host's exorbitant wealth, Popidius is unimpressed by such "nouveau riche" (147) tastes. He is still unsure how Ampliatus has risen to power so quickly. Now, finding himself in debt to "his own ex-slave" (148), he worries that his mother will die of shame. However, the magistrates all toast the "magnificent feast" (149). The next course is a giant eel, served on a platter and encrusted with jewels. When Ampliatus offers the eel to Corelia, she looks at him with "undiluted hatred" (150) and runs from the room.

Attilius visits a brothel where Exomnius reportedly spent his time and money. He asks for the owner, Africanus, and is directed upstairs. When he enters the room, he rushes to stop Africanus from slipping out of a window. Attilius wrestles the man to the floor and then drags him out of the room.

Ampliatus cuts the eel and serves it to his guests. When eating, he is disappointed to find the meat of the eel to be "bland and leathery" (154-5). The thought of his aristocratic guests mocking him makes him angry. The feast is interrupted by the arrival of a message.