Thermopolium – Ancient Roman Restaurant Offered Fast Food But Was It A Good Idea To Eat There?

Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - In modern times fast food has become popular because many simply don’t have time or energy to prepare a proper meal. Ancient Romans loved delicious food, but they could occasionally skip dinner preparations and eat fast food.

Thermopolium was an ancient Roman restaurant which offered its customers fast food. One could get warm meals, as well as drinks. People who were hungry could visit a thermopolium and get something to eat fast.

Ruins of a thermopolium discovered in Pompeii. Credit: Public Domain

The word thermopolium (plural thermopolia) comes from Greek and means literally "a place where (something) hot is sold".

A typical thermopolium had L-shaped counters into which large storage vessels were sunk. Eating outside was something people enjoyed because it was considered an important aspect of socializing.

In a thermopolium people could get cheap meals. Fish or cheese with bread was often served. As dessert, hungry people could get honey and later drink spicy wine.

It may sound like a good place to visit, but a thermopolium had its advantages and disadvantages. Thermopolium was a place mainly for poor people. The advantage with serving this kind of fast food was that everyone could eat. Not everyone Roman had the time or possibility to cook at home. Many poor Romans could not afford a private kitchen.

A thermopolium in Pompeii. Credit: Wikipedia

The disadvantage was that many who visited a thermopolium became drunk and neglected their duties.

People from the upper-class in ancient Rome had a low opinion of those who visited a thermopolium, a place they associated with vagrancy.

See also:

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More Ancient History Facts

Archaeologists have uncovered several well-preserved ruins of thermopolia in Pompeii and Herculaneum.

A thermopolium was L-shaped and mostly visited by poor people who couldn't afford a private kitchen. Credit: Wikipedia

The Thermopolium of Asellina, in Pompeii has given historian an excellent opportunity to study forerunner of today's restaurant. At the site, archaeologists discovered an almost perfectly preserved thermopolium. Complete jugs and dishes were found on the counter, as well as a kettle filled with water. Archaeologists working at the site also found a jar full of coins, amounting to about two days' income.

The thermopolium, one of the best-preserved sites in Pompeii, has long been closed to the public, but in 2010, after proper restoration this ancient snack bar of the Roman Empire re-opened.

Those who visit the Thermopolium of Asellina can get a sample of baked cheese with honey, just like poor ancient Romans did before the entire city of Pompeii was buried under masses of volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted August 24, 79 AD.

Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com

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