KITCHENS AND DINING ROOMS AT POMPEII ... - Get a Free Blog

word for kitchen, culina, is derived from colere, meaning 'to cultivate, foster and revere'. 29 Varro's
etymologies stress starting and keeping alight the family fire; it was not always easy in practical
terms to restart a dead hearth. 30 More importantly, a controlled live fire in the house symbolized
the civilized occupation of the house by a living family. Other authors apply the same emphasis
to a constantly burning hearth, especially the one in the Temple of Vesta in the Forum Romanum
which represented the domestic spirit of the entire Roman state. 31 Cicero in his speeches
commonly calls for the defense of the state with the metaphor of guarding one's own domestic
shrines and altars. His rhetoric is designed to strike home to each Roman citizen. For instance,
when questioning Pompey's decision to abandon Rome in the war against Caesar, Cicero asserts
that whereas the Republic is not made up of house walls, it is indeed made up of citizens' altars
and hearths. 32
The focus stood for the essence of a house and its family members: all those sheltered
under its roof, warmed and fed by its fire, and protected by its gods. Ovid notes: "Vesta is the
same as the Earth; under both of them is a perpetual fire; the Earth and the hearth are symbols of
the home." 33 The life of hearth and home was also symbolized by the token of a green and living
wreath (corona) afforded a hearth at periodic intervals and on days of celebration. 34 Cakes, spelt
and incense were other common solid offerings upon the hearth at public and private occasions
such as birthdays. 35 The introduction of life-bearing liquids such as blood (or its substitute,
wine) onto the fire was done in accordance with established procedures of cooking or sacrifice.
Hearths were defiled when ill-omened blood (from execution, suicide, or cannibalism) threatened
29 Serv. A. 3.134: Focum autem dictum a fotu, ut colinam ab eo quod ibi ignis colatur (Thilo & Hagen 1961 text).
30 Frayn 1978, 29. Hearths were lit either with flint (Sil. 2.444-445; Verg. A. 1.176), another source of fire such
as a lamp: "I take up the lantern, carry it to the hearth, blow, and the fire returns to life"; noctilucam tollo, ad
focum fero, inflo, anima reviviscit (Var. Men. 292, Ibycus text, author's translation), a neighbor's hearth (Pl. Aul.
91-92), a coal (Ov. Fast. 2.645), or from sparks still alive in the ashes (App. Verg. Moretum 6-14).
31 A constant flame in homes: C. Bas. De Metris 6.255-256; Mart. 10.47; Tib. 1.1.5-6. A constant flame in the
Temple of Vesta and other temples: Prop. 4.4.44-45, 4.11.53-54; Sil. 3.28-29; Stat. Theb. 2.739.
32 In 49 B.C.: Cic. Att. 7.11.3: 'Non est' inquit 'in parietibus res publica.' At in aris et focis (OCT text).
33 Ov. Fast. 6.267-268: Vesta eadem est et terra: subest vigil ignis utrique: significant sedem terra focusque suam
(Loeb text and translation). Similar sentiments are expressed in Cic. N.D. 2.67.11-14, and Cic. Leg. 2.454.2-5
(quoting Plato Lg. 12.955E-956B).
34 Juv. 12.83-88; Prop. 4.3.53-58; Cato Agr. 143 advises that a wreath be hung over the hearth on every
Kalends, Ides, and Nones of a month, as well as on holidays. Garlands are in fact found painted on many
household shrines in Pompeii; they are perpetually verdant ornaments (Jashemski 1979, 118; Orr 1973, 120-
121).
35 Private birthdays: Mart. 10.24; Tib. 2.2, 3.12; public holidays: Ov. Fast. 4.08-411, 6. 307-318; Var. L. 6.14
describes priestesses of Liber selling cakes to be sacrificed at their portable braziers located throughout the
city on the festival of the Liberalia.
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