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→Early History
In earliest written societies, Egypt and Mesopotamia in the 3rd millennium BCE, tables were utilized mostly to keep things from the floor or lift items off the floor. Stands, on the other hand, held food and drinks for people. Tables were created from stone, wood, or sometimes ceramic, although usually these were smaller tables such as end tables. Tables were used for activities such as making crafts. Tables were not seen as a primary item for furniture in the home or palaces. However, tables were often important for providing offerings in sacrifices, where altars essentially resembled a type of table that provided or served a sacrifice to the gods (Figure 1). By the 2nd and 1st millennium BCE, tables began to appear more on palace reliefs. By then, the table began to replace stands as something that could hold items while one was seated. Tables also were now made of metal as well as more perishable materials.
In the 1st millennium BCE, the Greeks and later Romans also began to utilize tables as more prominent pieces of furniture for the home. Many scenes indicate dining and feasting occurring around tables rather indicating that tables a more prominent aspect of daily furniture. The guéridon(Figure 2), a small rounded table we still use, became popular as a typical piece of furniture for homes. Romans also made more elaborate and decorated tables that were larger, where they now became more associated with wealth display in feasts and as prominent furniture in rich estates. Tables began to be associated with banqueting and elaborate feasts. Tables were seen as something that would accompany lounging or laying on couches. Chairs were not typically shown with tables.
[[File:Egyptian - Offering Table of King Amasis (570-526 BC) - Walters 22122.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 1. Offering table from Egypt.]]
[[File:Marble table from Pompeii.JPG|thumbnail|Figure 2. A guéridon from Pompeii.]]
==Later Development==
