The Romans in their Decadence

The exhibition catalogue included a quote from the poet Juvenal: Nunc patimur longae pacis mala; savior armis Luxuria incubuit, victumque ulciscitur orbem.

Some figures continue to dance among the reclining mass while one man at the right drunkenly addresses a statue, disrespectfully hanging from its arm.

Only three appear to have avoided participating in the orgy, consisting of one figure seated contemplatively upon a plinth to the left, and two upright men overlooking the scene from the right.

[2][6] The Romans in their Decadence was one of the two most critically successful works to be exhibited at the salon that year, alongside Woman Bitten by a Serpent.

Renowned critic Théophile Gautier compared the realism of the painting to styles practiced in Northern Europe at the time rather than Couture's native France,[7] while Edmond Texier praised aspects of the work but ultimately considered the painting's scope insufficient to capture the tragedy and dishonor of the era.