frankq 0 Report post Posted May 22, 2006 I keep on coming across this, emperors like Claudius and Tiberius issuing edicts prohibiting the sale of boiled water and boiled meat at taverns. What is this about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pertinax 3 Report post Posted May 22, 2006 (edited) In essence because the "fast food joints" were potential trouble spots, given that many of the urban population were unable to cook at home ,if they were able to linger in a "gurgustum" they might develop seditious habits. Nero only allowed veg and pea soup -you wouldnt want to sit next to someone eating that for too long would you? Tiberius banned bread in the "popinae" . Vespasian (I think) allowed only pulses to be cooked and sold. So the "tavern/cafe" was a potential flash point for the mob -so make it uncomfortable. AD may well know a lot more about this topic. Edited May 22, 2006 by Pertinax Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Dalby 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2006 In essence because the "fast food joints" were potential trouble spots, given that many of the urban population were unable to cook at home ,if they were able to linger in a "gurgustum" they might develop seditious habits.Nero only allowed veg and pea soup -you wouldnt want to sit next to someone eating that for too long would you? Tiberius banned bread in the "popinae" . Vespasian (I think) allowed only pulses to be cooked and sold. So the "tavern/cafe" was a potential flash point for the mob -so make it uncomfortable. AD may well know a lot more about this topic. Be fair. *Claudius* was in favour of the taverns and cookshops. The Senate (says Suetonius snidely) laughed when he went off into reminiscences about going round the bars when he was a young man. I must say that I have never honestly understood the problem that Tiberius and others saw. The usual flashpoints (people find these days) are where people drink, not where they eat; and particularly when they drink without eating anything. So why ban the sale of food in such places? I really don't get it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pertinax 3 Report post Posted May 24, 2006 Denial of comfort? Nero liked to pop out for a jar or two didnt he? I was going to suggest sheer numbers of hoi-polloi , if many were unable to cook at home and had no gainful work then the bar/fast food "mall" is the likeliest focus of the bored and dissafected. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pantagathus 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2006 I must say that I have never honestly understood the problem that Tiberius and others saw. The usual flashpoints (people find these days) are where people drink, not where they eat; and particularly when they drink without eating anything. So why ban the sale of food in such places? I really don't get it. Ack! Casson covered this in Travel in the Ancient World but I can't remember at the moment what his explanation was... I'll double check when I get a moment and will post here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites