Banquet of Chestnuts

The Banquet of Chestnuts, known more properly as the "Ballet of Chestnuts", refers to a Roman fete, and particularly (in historical terms) to a decadent banquet thrown by Rodrigo Borgia on 30 November 1501, who had become Pope Alexander VI by this time.

The banquet was thrown in the apartment of the apostolic palazzo with, it is said, upwards of fifty prostitutes or courtesans in attendance. After the food was eaten, candles were lit and placed on the floor and chestnuts strewn about, which the prostitutes, naked and crawling were encouraged to pick up. According to the diarist Johann Burchard an orgy then ensued.