Thermopolium
A thermopolium (from ancient Greek θερμός thermós "warm" and πωλέιν poléin "sell"; plural Thermopolia ) is a term used in ancient research that describes a type of Roman restaurant in which hot food and drinks were sold as fast food. In recent research this term is viewed critically, as it is only used in three works by the author Plautus. In Pompeian wall inscriptions, this designation is therefore not found, instead the term caupo or copo is used here for a host. His workplace would then be a caupona .
The Thermopolia preserved in Pompeii were mostly small rooms with a brick counter facing the street . In this counter, which in Pompeii is often decorated with colorful marble rubble, storage vessels as well as water and cooking pots were embedded, the contents of which could be kept warm by a fire below. Inside was a stove on which the dishes were pre-cooked.
The dishes on offer were very simple: legumes such as peas , beans , lentils and chickpeas were mostly on the menu. Wine mixed with hot water was also served.
The guests ate their food while standing. However, the transition to the tavern with several seats or even a kind of hotel is fluid, as thermopiles with guest rooms were found on the floor above. The latter also served partly as a brothel .
Thermopolia were found in many Roman settlements. In Pompeii , the Asellina's thermopoly has even been completely preserved along with the entire furnishings; even the water in the saucepan was hermetically sealed by volcanic ash, which lasted 1,800 years until it was rediscovered.
literature
- Ellis, Steven JR (2004): "The Distribution of Bars at Pompeii: Archaeological, Spatial and Viewshed Analyzes", Journal of Roman Archeology , Vol. 17, pp. 371-384
