If you’re hungry and hunting fast food along the streets of Pompei (and you happen to be around before the volcano smothered the town in AD 79), you might swing by a thermopolium (Greek for “cook-shop”). Pray the line is short.
“L” shaped food counters like this one faced the street and featured built-in clay jars. The jars were filled with food and drink, kept warm by the terracotta. Hearty stews and soups (consisting of pork, seafood, goat, and snails) could be purchased as a entrée, with sides of bread, cheese, and nuts. Of course, no good Mediterranean meal would be complete without condiments, and there was no finer dipping sauce than a pungent garum (made from fish mash).
A well-preserved street in Pompei.
In urban areas of the New Testament world, many residential apartments (insulae) lacked cooking facilities. Meals could purchased for take-away in places like this—and incidentally, the more well-to-do residents scorned the thermopolia. Scoff if you will, McDonald’s-haters; more than 150 soup counters were found here, suggesting that take-away was a lively industry.
Try to imagine the aroma wafting down the street on a cool winter evening.
Do you think the Apostle Paul ever asked for extra cheese?
Linda Baines, one of our Bible Land Explorers, slipped behind the counter to stir the pot, a role she relishes.
We have a couple of Italy trips on tap this year and next. Here’s a link to one that has open seats right now. Will you join us?
