The city of Pompeii, located in southern Italy and buried by a catastrophic volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., was home to an ancient Roman population of wealthy merchants and artisans. Much of what we know about life in Pompeii comes from the archaeological excavations of the site since the 19th century. In particular, one of the most noteworthy discoveries has been the remains of ancient meals and food practices that were unearthed in the ruins.
Pompeian meals were prepared with ingredients from the rich local farms, as well as from importations from overseas. Fruits, vegetables and grains were a large part of the local diet, including varieties of beans, chickpeas and fava beans, olives, figs, apples and pears; grains like wheat, barley and oats; and vegetables like lettuce, endives, cabbage and radishes. Seafoods were also popular, especially mullet, shellfish, squid and tuna. These ingredients were seasoned with garlic, pepper, thyme, oregano, and various other spices. Meat was not as widely consumed, but was an occasional part of the diet, either as poultry like ducks, geese and pigeons, or domestic animals like goats, pigs and sheep.
Pompeian meals often took the form of a simple but nutritious one-dish meal called “cena.” This was usually served with a starter such as small bites of cheese, olives and nuts as well as a standard dessert such as fresh fruit, honey-based sweet dishes, or pastries. In addition, meals were often accompanied by fruit wines, an alcoholic drink known as “posca,” or a popular Roman appetizer made of anchovies, eggs, and cheese.The cuisine of Pompeii was heavily influenced by the Romans, with many dishes made from foods that were familiar to the Roman people.
Furthermore, the upper classes of Pompeii regularly indulged in luxurious delicacies, such as imported shellfish, caviar and exotic fruits, while the lower classes relied more on locally available ingredients and thrifty recipes. Pompeii’s economy also heavily relied on baking, with many of the poorer classes devoting their efforts to producing baked goods such as bread and pasta for their sustenance. This was especially true during the summer months, when workers needed to make sure the ovens were running throughout the season to keep up with the demand for baked goods.
The cooking practices of Pompeii were also heavily grounded in tradition, with many meals being served according to regional customs. For example, meals served as part of a religious celebration were often cooked in honor of a local deity, while public festivals often included large communal meals that featured particular dishes. Despite being heavily rooted in traditional practices, the cuisine of ancient Pompeii was also open to foreign influences, with the introduction of new ingredients, flavors and techniques from both the East and the West.
Overall, the cuisine of Pompeii was varied and diverse, reflecting the culture and traditions of the Roman city. This can be seen in the archaeologists’ culinary discoveries, which have revealed a variety of ingredients and cooking methods, as well as the social customs associated with meals in the city. The cuisine of Pompeii, then, provides us with valuable insight into the lives of the Pompeians, and is a testament to the richness of their culture and culinary traditions.
Influence on Modern Cuisine
The influence of the ancient cuisine of Pompeii is still detectable in modern Italian cooking, where many of the ingredients, flavors and cooking techniques of the Roman period persist. Many of the dishes of Pompeii, such as lasagna, spaghetti and macaroni, are still popular in contemporary Italian cuisine. In addition, daily staples of the Roman diet such as olives, grains, cheese and wine continue to be staples of modern Italian fare. Even the more luxurious dishes of Pompeii, such as lobster and caviar, are still featured in many contemporary Italian restaurants.
At the same time, the archaeological discoveries of the cuisine of ancient Pompeii have also been an invaluable source of information for modern Italian chefs. By studying the ancient techniques of cooking, as well as the ingredients and flavors used in the past, modern chefs have been able to recreate many of the dishes of ancient Pompeii and serve them to their customers. This has allowed them to use the knowledge of the past to create innovative and interesting dishes that are still popular today.
Furthermore, the flavors and ingredients of the classical cuisine of Pompeii have also been employed to create new gourmet dishes. By experimenting with the traditional recipes and flavors of the Roman cuisine, chefs have been able to create dishes that are both exciting and authentic. This has allowed them to create modern twists on the recipes and flavors of ancient Pompeii, resulting in new dishes that bring the culinary tradition of the city back to life.
Cooking Implementations
Ancient Pompeian cooking was primarily done over open hearths as opposed to modern stoves and ovens, but other tools were also used for food preparation. In terms of implements, food was typically cooked using pots or pans on the hob, and knives were commonly used for cutting and chopping. In addition, a type of grater known as a “mortarium” was used to grind and process food, while small terra cotta dishes were often used to serve the food. These implements, as well as others such as mortars and pestles and strainers, allowed the ancient Pompeians to prepare a variety of dishes.
Moreover, the Pompeians also utilized various techniques in their cooking. For instance, they heavily relied on smoking as a means of preservation, which was commonly done with pine logs. They also utilized a type of fermenting in their food preparation, often employing a sourdough starter that was mixed with dough and left to rise. In addition, numerous ingredients were combined in the same dish, resulting in complex and flavorful flavors that were characteristic of the cuisine of Pompeii.
All in all, the cuisine of ancient Pompeii was both varied and complex, with a range of flavors and techniques used by the people of the city. The archaeological findings of Pompeii have enabled us to learn much about the people of the city, as well as their eating habits, culinary preferences, and so much more. Through the discoveries of the past, we can gain a better understanding of the culture of the people of ancient Pompeii, as well as the role food played in their everyday lives.
Social Customs
The importance of food in the culture of ancient Pompeii was not confined to what was eaten, but also extended to how it was eaten – meals were often seen as a social activity and were shared with family and friends. Groups of diners would relax around tables, lapping up their food and drinks, and perhaps sharing stories and opinions. Men, women, and children all participated in the social event of the meal, and food and drink was thought to bring people together.
Meals could be casual affairs, with bread broken over tables instead of platters, or they could be more formal feasts with multiple courses and extravagant dishes. It was at these events that some of the finest dishes of Pompeian cuisine were served, and people celebrated with the most expensive and luxurious food their wealth could afford.
In addition, meals were also seen as an opportunity to demonstrate one’s wealth and status. As a result, dining practices in Roman times were very much dictated by social class. The dishes of the wealthy were generally much more elaborate, with a variety of ingredients and flavorings, as opposed to the simpler fare of the lower classes. Furthermore, it was common for the wealthy to display their opulence by having the most exclusive and expensive foods served at their feasts.
Preservation Techniques
The residents of ancient Pompeii were forced to be resourceful in preserving their food. As such, a number of techniques were employed in order to extend the life of food, such as fermentation, salting and smoking. In addition, storage methods such as suspending food in olive oil, bottling it and adding vinegar were also used to prolong the shelf-life of certain foodstuffs. These preservation techniques allowed the people of Pompeii to have access to a range foodstuffs throughout the year, even when certain ingredients were out of season.
The archaeological finds of Pompeii also indicate that a form of canning was also used in the city. This involved packaging foodstuffs in ceramic vessels and heating them to a temperature that would sterilize and preserve the contents. This canning method was especially useful for preserving wine and other liquids, and allowed the citizens of Pompeii to enjoy alcoholic drinks for an extended period of time.
In addition to these preservation methods, the people of ancient Pompeii also relied on terracotta pots, which were used to store grain and other perishables. These pots had an airtight seal that kept food fresh for a longer period of time, making them essential for the preservation of certain foodstuffs. This was an important factor for the survival of the people of Pompeii, and ensured that their access to certain foodstuffs was not limited to the current season.
Conclusion
The cuisine of ancient Pompeii provides us with a unique insight into the culture and lifestyle of a Roman city. Through their culinary discoveries, archaeologists have been able to uncover the culinary practices of the Pompeians, and our knowledge of the city’s cuisine has grown as a result. Modern Italian chefs have also been able to draw inspiration from the dishes of Pompeii, and chefs around the world have been able to recreate some of the flavors and techniques of the city’s ancient cuisine. Furthermore, the preservation techniques employed by the Pompeians have enabled us to better understand their resourcefulness, and the importance of food in their culture. Overall, the cuisine of ancient Pompeii is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people of the city, and their ability to create tasty, sophisticated and nutritious meals.
