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Thermopolium of Vetutius Placidus (I,8,8)
Characteristic and very widespread in Pompeii (there were 89), the thermopolia were public establishments (a sort of ‘snack-bar’) that served hot food and drinks (thus the Greek-style name): it was indeed customary to lunch (prandium= midday meal) outside the home. This is a typical, simple structure: one room opening onto the road, with a brick tap—often decorated—into which were sunk the dolia (jars) containing the goods; at times, one could eat one’s meal sitting down in the back rooms. In this thermopolium, there is the stuccoed and frescoed lararium (aedicula): on either side of the master’s Genius are the Lares (protectors of the house), as well as Mercury (god of trade) and Dionysus (god of wine). The house annexed to the shop has an interesting triclinium decorated in late ‘third style’.
