Part 7/9:
Pompeii not only reveals the beauty of its frescoes but also offers an invaluable glimpse into daily life and commerce through its bakeries. Among the notable ones are Modestus's bakery and that of Popidius Priscus, both showcasing architectural and technological advancements in baking techniques of the time.
Descriptions of various baking methods—such as the societal status given to bakers, the use of millstones turned by donkeys for grinding flour, and the resulting baked goods like panis quadratus—demonstrate the critical role of bread in Roman society. Bread was not just sustenance; it could elevate a baker’s status and contribute to political endorsements.