It was the ancient Greeks in around the seventh century BCE that first made popular the method of dining whereby diners were semi-reclined on a couch or chaise longue. Later civilisations adopted the habit, including of course the Romans, with whom we generally associate this activity. Typically there would be three such couches surrounding a low table, from which food would be served, although this set mentions a symposium, which was a Greek word for a drinking party. This set reproduces such a scene, with three couches and three diners suitably reclined, although we cannot tell whether they are eating or drinking at the moment. All three are male (the Greeks at least did not allow women to dine this way), and they wear clothing which we found hard to identify. The first pictured figure is remarkable as he is bare-chested, which is hardly a suitable form of dress for a formal occasion such as this. All recline in really natural poses on the three couches supplied, and indeed only make sense when positioned this way; our photographs do not do these figures justice, and the photograph with the packaging gives a better idea.

The crispness and detail on these figures is very pleasing, and they have no flash at all. The poses are nice and relaxed and very natural, suffering none of the flatness you would expect if they had been produced in a rigid steel mould. The require no assembly, and nor do the couches, although the small table/stool does need to have the separate legs glued on. Although we were uneasy about the authenticity of some of the costume this is still a very nice set and makes a very pleasing little scene, especially when deployed along with the set of servants also made by this company.