E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Lucullus sups with Lucullus.
Said of a glutton who gormandises alone. Lucullus was a rich Roman soldier, noted for his magnificence and self-indulgence. Sometimes above £1,700 was expended on a single meal, and Horace tells us he had 5,000 rich purple robes in his house. On one occasion a very superb supper was prepared, and when asked who were to be his guests the “rich fool” replied, “Lucullus will sup to-night with Lucullus.” (B.C. 110–57.)
