In ancient Rome, the dining habits of its citizens varied significantly based on social class. While the wealthy dined luxuriously at home, the poor often lacked basic cooking facilities in their apartments. As a result, they frequented local bars and eateries known as tabernae, popinae, cauponae, and thermopolia. These establishments served as essential venues for the lower classes to access hot meals and wine. Despite their varied names and slight differences in function, these places were hubs of social activity, offering both food and drink, and sometimes doubling as inns or brothels.
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The excavations at Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Ostia provide invaluable insights into these establishments. Pompeii alone housed over 160 tabernae, each typically featuring a counter for service and, in some cases, seating areas for customers. The food quality at these venues was often poor, with greasy meals and the …