For the patricians, the main meal of the day was the cena and was taken in the evening. The meal had many courses and was often accompanied by entertainment. The poor of Rome had much more simple meals. They often relied upon the free grain provided by the government called the dole. This grain was used to make bread or a form of porridge. Many insulae had no kitchens and so the plebeians had to buy their food at takeaways called thermopolia.
Sample Roman Menu for a patrician: ✣
✣ By the way
Government assistance for unemployed people today is known as ‘the dole’.
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Fig 2.14 A Roman feast for the patricians.
Fig 2.15 The poor of Rome often bought their food at thermopolia.