Thermopolium

A Thermopolium (. Θερμός of ancient Greek thermos " hot " and πωλέιν poléin "sell"; majority thermopolia ) is a term from the old Roman trade and describes a type of restaurant or bar, where hot food and drinks were sold as fast food.

The thermopolia were mostly small premises, which were provided to the street with a brick bar. In this in Pompeii like marble quarry stones colorful occupied counter storage jars, water and cooking pots were admitted, the contents could be kept warm by an underlying fire. Inside the bar there was a stove on which the courts have been pre-cooked.

The offered dishes were very simple: In most cases, were legumes such as peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas on the menu. It was also served with hot water mixed wine.

The guests ate their food equal standing. However, the transition to the tavern with several seating areas, or even a kind of hotel is perfect, since thermal spolia with guest rooms were found in the floor above. The latter were, as we know, in part as a brothel.

Thermopolia were found in many Roman settlements. In Pompeii the Thermopolium the Asellina has remained intact even with the entire installation; even the water in the saucepan, had hermetically closed by volcanic ash, which takes 1800 years to rediscover.