Blithe

Places intended for the consumption of foodstuffs in Roman towns and cities were called cauponae (where it was possible to have a meal and a drink) and thermopolia or popinae (where only drinks were served). Many have been found in Pompei, especially along the busiest streets. The premises usually consisted of a room opening onto the street with a sign outside. On a brick counter were set clay jars for the storage of food and a cooker to heat up dishes. Cauponae may also contain other rooms, such as dining rooms for customers.

This Caupona has been attributed to Vetutius Placidus, whose name appears - together with the name of his wife Ascula or Ascla - in the electoral advertisement painted on the facade of the building but also indicated as addressee of some clay amphorae found inside the house. The premises consist of a large room opening up onto the busy Via dell'Abbondanza, and was largely occupied by a U-shaped brick counter containing 11 clay jars (dolia) for the daily stock of foodstuffs and drinks to be served.

In May 1939 a large hoard of bronze coins was found in a container of the counter of the thermopolium. The 1385 coins include sestertii, dupondi, assi, one semis, one triens, four quadrants, one sestans, one bronze coin, Ptolomeus II and one from the mint of Amestratus. Total value about 585 sestertii. The earliest coin was from 285BC and the latest from 78AD. The savings of an average citizen of Pompeii amounted to 200 – 500 sestertii. No other coins or valuables were found elsewhere in the building, therefore is is assumed the hoard was the sum of several days takings before the eruption of 79AD put a sudden stop to what was obviously a flourishing business. The hoard is now in Naples Archaeological Museum.