 Food and Dining Food and Dining  Workshops Workshops  Other Industries and Entertainment Other Industries and Entertainment

Shops located in Pompeii ran from the Forum, past the amphitheatre to the Sarnian Gate. Shopkeepers usually had living quarters in the form of a back room or “mezzanine” to reside in at the end of the day. Shops were advertised through painted trade signs or wall paintings. It was also used for political propaganda with political slogans being advertised as a way to attract customers and votes. Graffiti was also written as a way for customers to pay their respects or make complaints.

Bakeries were very popular among citizens of Pompeii and Herculaneum. It would generally feature lava stone mills, used for refining the grain, a table for kneading dough and a brick oven. Remains of carbonised bread has been found. A famous bakery in Pompeii was the Bakery of Modestus.

Snack bars, or thermopolia were very popular in both Pompeii and Herculaneum. Over 200 has been found in Pompeii. Dolia held hot food and drink, and the dishes could be eaten sitting down or standing up. One of the largest diners found in Herculaneum, was located directly across the Palastra to attract service.

Bars and taverns were scattered throughout both towns but were most often positioned around the amphitheatre in Pompeii. Bars and taverns could be used for both rest and recreation, business and sexual encounters. Graffiti was also used to pay respect, make requests and was often used as political propaganda.

Wine shops were seen quite often throughout Pompeii as the citizens were very heavy drinkers. Wine was stored in jars, and was made with various types of grapes and olives. A variety of wine was sold in both Herculaneum and Pompeii but citizens used to like to add other ingredients to add flavour.

Workshops were also very popular in both cities as there was a high demand for furniture makers and woodworkers for both public an private decorations and furnishings. There was also a range of other occupations uncovered including bronze smiths, glass workers, marble workers and potters.

Pottery stores were very popular especially in the houses that favoured extravagant decorations and furnishing. Unfortunately many of the shops were destroyed in the volcanic eruption, but many pots have been excavated. Pottery was also sold both in stores and among street vendors with the more accomplished stores selling more then one type of product.

When archaeologists began digging through the remans of Pompeii, they would find layers of marble in the wealthy homes, and various marble decorations. These were produced by marble workers who made reliefs to represent the history of the buildings. This also provided the owner with a sense of pride in their wealth and culture.

A fullery was a laundry where items of clothing were cleaned bleached and dyed. Frescoes showed many of the procedures that took place and water was supplied by the town aqueduct. Various tanks and basins were used and a carbonised wooden clothes press has been excavated at Herculaneum. Dyers coloured cloth with a variety of vegetable dyes.

Shops in Pompeii and Herculaneum also provided a healthy commercial life for its citizens. Archeologists have been able to identify a variety of occupations including dyers, innkeepers, prostitutes and shoemakers

The cities of Pompeii were continuously filled with shops and street vendors among the streets, meaning there was often entertainment, citizens played music and put on performances using masks. Shopkeepers also used a particular good performance to draw attention to their store and attracted customers by appealing to their political opinions.

Hotels provided tradesman with a place to rest for the night. The two hotels in Herculaneum provided basic services for the citizens including, a dining room, stables, and a garage for wagons. There was also a hotel near the Forum in Pompeii that accommodated for fifty people, four to a room. However the most famous hotel was the Hostel of the Muses for its extravagant decorations and services.

The Lupanare was the official brothel in Pompeii and was visited every day, especially by tradesman from out of town. There was many others in town (about 25 in all) that would have been located above the bars and taverns. The Lupanare was located near the Forum ad graffiti was often engraved over the walls so customers could express their opinions on the service that was provided.