PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

Roman Life – Food
The Romans did not have tea or coffee. They learnt how
to grow vines and make wine from the Greeks. They drank
wine frequently, for their water supplies were often impure.
Grapes for wine were grown in the Republic but also imported
from France, Spain, Portugal and other regions of the Empire.
The wine was usually transported in amphorae—large pottery
jars. Sometimes these jars were partly buried in the ground to
keep the wine cool.
The rich enjoyed entertaining guests by presenting acrobats,
poets, jugglers etc. at household feasts. Sometimes, talented
slaves were used to entertain the diners, who lounged on
comfortable couches as they ate. Any food scraps were thrown
onto the floor for slaves to clean up. The Romans ate with their
fingers. Forks were unknown and knives and spoons were
usually used only in the kitchen, though spoons were used with soups and other liquid dishes. Slaves served the
food and washed the fingers of the guests between courses. The main meal of the day was in the evening after the
visit to the public baths. It included meat, seafood, vegetables, honey cakes and fruit.
Activity Box
The Romans crushed grapes by treading them
or using a grape press.
Colour the diagrams of foods eaten in wealthy households. Then write them in alphabetical order in
the second set of boxes.
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