Did Christianity Turn Roman Slavery Upside Down? Maybe.

by Liisa Eyerly

When a novel is set in ancient Rome, it is almost impossible to avoid the subject of slavery. In the Roman Empire, slavery was everywhere. Some historians estimate that as many as one-third of the population was enslaved. Unlike slavery in early America, Roman slavery was not based on race. Masters and slaves were often the same ethnicity, spoke the same language, and sometimes even came from the same region. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Livia%2C_the_wife_of_Augustus%2C_superintending.jpg?

Most Romans saw slavery as a normal part of life. 

Philosophers like Aristotle even argued that some people were “natural slaves.” He believed certain people were meant to do physical labor and were better off being ruled by others. Whether someone became enslaved through war, debt, or punishment, very few people questioned the system itself. Slavery helped power the Roman economy, its armies, and its growing empire. Faustyna E., CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Then Christianity entered the picture.

The writers of the New Testament never directly called for the end of slavery. The Apostle Paul still told slaves and masters how to live within the system that already existed. But Christianity introduced a dangerous new idea: before God, slave and free were equal. Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28 that in Christ “there is neither slave nor free.” In churches across the empire, slaves worshiped beside masters, shared the Lord’s Supper together, and called each other brothers and sisters. 

.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Monuments_of_the_early_church_%281901%29_%2814783189742%29.jpg?

To most Romans, this sounded absurd. Roman society depended on status, rank, and legal divisions. Christianity quietly challenged those divisions by teaching that a person’s value came from God, not from wealth or social position. 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/The_early_days_of_Christianity_%281922%29_%2814765643872%29.jpg

That tension appears throughout my novels set in places like Ephesus. In cities loyal to Rome, Christian communities created an uncomfortable gray area where slaves, merchants, soldiers, and nobles gathered as equals. Roman authorities did not always understand this movement, but they recognized it could weaken the social order that held the empire together, and began persecuting the followers of this strange religion.

Christianity did not end Roman slavery overnight. That would take centuries. But it planted ideas about human worth and equality that slowly began to crack the foundations of the system.  


                                                                                              Fortunes of Death

In the bustling streets of ancient Ephesus, fortunes can change in an instant. When one of the city’s wealthiest citizens is found crushed beneath his own triumphant memorial, the powerful elite demand justice—but at what cost? Enigmatic investigator Sabina faces her most perilous case yet. As secrets unravel and enemies close in, she must navigate political intrigue, dark sorcery, and forbidden love to uncover the truth. In a city where everyone has something to hide, who can be trusted? And how far will Sabina go to solve a mystery that could cost her everything?

Liisa’s books have been called a cross between Agatha Christie and Francine Rivers. Her mystery novel, Obedient Unto Death, won the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award for a debut novel and first place in the Spiritual Fiction category. The sequel, Fortunes of Death, continues the Secrets of Ephesus series, weaving fascinating Christian twists into the historical mystery genre of the first-century Roman Empire. Liisa’s travels to Turkey, Greece, and Italy have enriched her stories with vivid depictions of New Testament culture, history, and people.

Liisa’s journey into writing proves it’s never too late to follow your dreams and share your passion with the world.

Purchase her books at:
Crossriver Media 

• Fortunes of Death
• Obedient Unto Death
• My Amazon book page

Visit Liisa at:
Her website www.LiisaEyerly.com
Author Facebook page at Liisa Eyerly Author page

 

From Property to Person: Rome’s Shifting Social Order by Liisa Eyerly

In my previous two blogs, I explored the all-important status ladder of ancient Rome. I use the term ladder because people could move up and down in rank, standing, and station. This included slaves who were legally considered property, not persons, with no legal rights. A slave could be punished, sold, abused, or killed at the whim of their owner. Physical labor on farms, in mines, in brothels, or on galley ships. included neglect, abuse, and often a short lifespan. Charles William Bartlett, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons  

Enslavement was harsh, but in ancient Rome, it was not always permanent. In my mystery novel Obedient Unto Death, I introduce this complex, layered reality through Sabina's childhood nurse, who, despite their emotional bond and trust, remained enslaved. And Sabina's father's freedman and spy-master, who was freed in a legal process called manumission and was trusted with the family's most dangerous secrets. 

Roman ships- its rise and fall; a text-book for high schools and colleges (1900) (14598250937).jpg via Wikimedia Commons

People enslaved in cities—especially those working in businesses, possessing education or marketable skills, or serving within a household—had a greater chance of gaining freedom than those relegated to hard physical labor.

Freedom was viewed as an incentive for loyal and hardworking slaves, and owners saw freed slaves as investments, future clients, and business partners. A Roman woman dressed and groomed by her slaves via Wikimedia Commons

Freedom was often granted as a reward for dedicated service, when an owner died, or occasionally when a bond formed, such as between Senator Marcus Tullius Cicero and Tiro, his personal secretary and archivist. Manumission elevated the freed slave to Roman citizen status, allowing them to outrank a freeborn person from Roman provinces within Spain, Greece, or Asia Minor.

*They could legally marry *Own property and do business *Were protected under Roman law
Marcus Tullius Cicero.jpg via Wikimedia Commons

Freedmen were considered lower-status than freeborn citizens, but they maintained obligations to their former owners in a client/patron relationship. Freedmen and freedwomen often continued in the same roles they had held in slavery, working in the same homes, businesses, or farms and providing the same services. The key difference was that they were now responsible for their own food, clothing, and shelter. Rather than being owned, they were paid—sometimes by their former masters—to carry out familiar work. A tutor might go on teaching, gardeners continued tending estates, and a business manager might remain in place or even enter into a partnership with a former owner. Papyrus manumission document. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Manumission_-_A.D._355.JPG

After Tiro’s manumission, he continued working for Cicero, inventing a form of shorthand known as Tironian notes. He recorded and maintained Cicero's many writings and was responsible for the preservation and publication of Cicero’s letters after Cicero's execution. Manumission was a powerful instrument for social mobility. Freedmen, Freedwomen, and their children made up a large portion of Roman society, with some estimates as high as 20%.

Lekythos, ca. 550–530 B.CE. Amasis painter attr. Weaving, upright loom. Unrolled.The Met.jpg via Wikimedia commons

At the same time, freedom was held out as a reward for loyal service; it also created an incentive structure that discouraged rebellion. Freedom was used as a tool to protect those in power from slave revolts—an ever-present fear among the Roman elite. Spartacus led one of the most famous uprisings, though many others occurred throughout Roman history. By offering the possibility of manumission, slaveholders fostered the belief that enslavement was not necessarily permanent, sustaining hope for a different future while reinforcing control.

As Roman citizens, they could partake of the benefits of one of the world's most powerful, rich, and prosperous empires. 

Step into the shadowy streets of 96 AD Ephesus, where danger lurks around every corner, and the line between friend and foe is razor-thin. Fortunes of Death, plunges you into a world where faith is tested, alliances are shattered, and one woman's courage could be the difference between life and death.

Sabina, a fierce young Christian widow, is thrust into a deadly game when a wealthy citizen is murdered. With her friend’s life hanging in the balance, Sabina must unravel a web of lies, deceit, and hidden motives. Every clue she uncovers brings her closer to the truth—and closer to becoming the next victim.

This isn't just a murder mystery. It's a gripping tale of faith, resilience, and the power of one woman standing against the darkness 

Mystery, murder, and mayhem aren’t your typical Christian themes—but why should secular authors have all the fun solving crimes in ancient Rome? My love of history, scripture, and whodunits led me to blend faith with intrigue, bringing the world of the early Christians to life. Writing from my home in the woods of northern Wisconsin, I also draw inspiration from my travels to Turkey, Greece, and Italy, where I’ve walked the same streets my characters once did. Through historical mysteries, I explore a time when faith was a matter of life and death—literally.

Visit me at my website, on my Author Facebook page,

or purchase my books at:
Fortunes of Death
Obedient Unto Death My Amazon book page

Echoes of the Ancient New Testament Cities: Ephesus

Matthew J. Elliott

Roads in Ephesus - Britannica

As many of those who read this blog know, the stories I write are Biblical Fiction. One of the best parts of being that type of storyteller is the research I get to do, which makes it possible for me to write the stories I do. I have always enjoyed the challenge of taking something like the Early Church, the figures who lived during that period, and tying it all together into one of my stories. 

The city of Ephesus is by far the one I have done the most research on since I started writing these stories, and it’s not because I am writing an episodic series set there. While that is partly why I began my research into the city, the reason I wanted to write a story about it was because it has always fascinated me. There is something about the city that has truly captured my curiosity. 

Why? Well… because there have always been more connections in that city throughout scripture than almost any other city in the New Testament. Even as a child, I was drawn to the letter to the Ephesians because something stayed with me every time I had to read the letter. In all honesty, I own more devotionals about that letter than any of the others. The first bible study I remember teaching used that letter as the study material. 

Port of Ephesus - theephesus.com

Ephesus was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire (only Rome and Alexandria were bigger) and was a major port city. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was the crown jewel of the city. Multiple figures from the early church spent time ministering to those living within the city gates. It was a city where spiritual hunger, economic power, and political tension led every aspect of the day-to-day lives of its residents. 

Paul journeyed there multiple times throughout his missionary journeys. Historical records indicate that John the Beloved, Onesimus the slave, and Timothy the protégé, all held the position of church bishop in Ephesus sometime after Paul and Peter were martyred in Rome. Many of Paul's traveling companions have ties to the city as well; Aristarchus and Gaius were arrested there. Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos, and possibly John Mark, all ministered in this city, and in Corinth. Corinth will be the next stop on our ancient tour.

Riots broke out when Paul's teachings threatened the idol-making industry. Silversmiths, like Demetrius, wage war against anyone who would not bow down and worship Artemis. The Sons of Sceva were religious priests who pretended to have special abilities that led people to believe they had magical powers that cast out demons. When those attempts failed, the city burned many of the religious artifacts and magical scrolls. 

These examples and more led to what became a blended community filled with false teaching. Economic hostility, internal disputes over leadership and doctrine, cultural pressure to participate in civic religion, and acts of unbridled worship all lead toward Ephesus becoming a melting pot of struggle and disaster. Through it all, though, the church became a crossroads in history. 

Burning Books in Ephesus - Fine Art America

History is filled with stories like this that almost seem to be hidden from the world we live in today. There was just too much for me not to be fascinated by it all. When you add in the letter to the Ephesians and the fact that Paul had multiple letters sent out from the city, there was no way I was not going to spend a lot of time in the city with my Biblical Fiction series. One of the questions I was asked at the Mid-Month Madness event that took place on 2/15/25 was what the story behind the story was for my books. 

While I planned to write this month's article from a different perspective, something seemed right about sharing more about the reason I chose to write The Ephesus Pages. Seasons One through Three may focus on the events I have been able to research about the riots that took place in Acts 19 around 55 AD, but there is more to the history of Ephesus than the events of that time. 

Eventually, there will be more to tell, but for the moment, I chose to write The Ephesus Pages because the city means more to me than just the words on the digital page I am writing. The city was the foundation of a story I felt needed to be told. I think we all have those stories that have a deeper meaning to us, and I would love to hear about yours. So feel free to take the opportunity to share something about a story that has that kind of meaning for you. 

See you in the pages, 

M.J.E.

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is married and has three wonderful children who bring him immense joy and inspiration. One of his favorite things to do with them is to share stories they can someday learn from. When writing a story, he aspires to minister to others with love, equip them with encouragement, and use the gift God has given him as a writer to help readers experience God in a real and meaningful way.

Find Matthew on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, BookBub, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

The Ephesus Pages: A Journey Begins: (Part 1; Episodes 1-10) is available now for .99 cents. Grab it while you can.

One Man. His Continued Journey. Working to Build the Early Church. 

Part One: A Journey Begins

John Mark carries the weight of his past on his shoulders, and there is one person he has never reconciled with. In an epic story surrounding the city of Ephesus and the ministry of Paul during his three-year ministry there, life as we know it will change. Join John Mark as he embarks on a new journey seeking reconciliation. As he leaves all that he knows behind on the shores of Cyprus, John Mark will begin a new three-part journey that will test his faith, build him up, and reveal much about his past.

Roman Citizenship, the Gold Standard

By Liisa Eyerly

Historical authors and readers must navigate a murky and treacherous landscape when writing. Murky because we don’t know all the facts and nuances of any period. So much has been lost to the melting ice cubes of time. Treacherous, because peering into the past confronts us with the impossible task of disconnecting from our present-day selves, modern ideas, and our evolved knowledge base.

Suspending moral judgment on the culture, rules, and practices of the Roman Empire, 2,000 years ago, can be especially challenging. Developing characters while distancing them from modern-age perspectives can be difficult. Depicting beliefs where slavery is neither right nor wrong, simply an accepted way of life; or exposing newborns to nature to die, as a common-sense solution for unwanted children; or their choice of mass capital punishment, ignites moral outrage. Is there a limit to how far we can suspend our beliefs, especially when it comes to our values, good and bad, right and wrong?

But to be fair to the times, we must try as much as possible.

Modern democracies work hard to include all citizens in their country's rights and responsibilities, with equality for all, a laudable goal. But Roman society was anything but equal. It was based on a ladder of legal identities, a tiered system of status, and privilege.

Almost every aspect of a person’s life was governed by their legal designation, and Roman Citizenship was at the top, the gold standard of privilege, power, and rights. And unsurprisingly, a major catalyst for power struggles, resentment, and rebellion in the Roman world.

A. Roman Citizens (Cives Romani)  

* Full rights and protections
* Included elites, veterans, colonists—and some provincials
* Women were citizens too, though without voting or office-holding rights

B. Latins (Latini) Originally from Italy, later expanded
* Partial rights- a “citizenship-adjacent” status
* Could trade and own property
* Sometimes eligible for citizenship after holding local office

C. Freedmen (Liberti)
* Former slaves who had been legally freed
* Became Roman citizens, but with limits:
     * Could not hold high office
     * Owed loyalty and service to former masters
* Their children, however, were full citizens

D. Provincials (Peregrini)  

* The majority of the empire
* Free people, but not citizens
* Governed by local laws, not Roman civil law
* Vulnerable to:
     * Torture
     * Summary punishment
     * Exploitative taxation
* Could gain citizenship through:
     * Military service
     * Imperial favor
     * Collective grants to cities

E. Slaves (Servi)
* Considered property, not persons
* Not determined by race or ethnicity
* No legal rights
* Could be punished, sold, abused, or killed (with some limits in later periods)
* Manumission (freeing a slave) was common—and strategic

Ironically, a freed slave could outrank a freeborn provincial in legal status. And it was one of Rome’s quiet engines for social change and mobility.  (Collared Roman slaves / Ashmolean Museum, Photo by Jun, Wikimedia Commons)

Why This Mattered for Christians

Christianity flattened social categories spiritually and sought to practice equality within the church, but Rome did not recognize or understand the religious rationale for Christian inclusiveness. Loyalty to Christ cut across Rome’s legal hierarchy; slaves shared the Lord’s supper with their masters, each serving the other on equal footing, and this terrified authorities. In the provinces like Ephesus, where my books take place, this legal gray zone was a powder keg and exactly the kind of fault line Rome cracked down on.

Christians included:    

* Slaves
* Women
* Foreigners
* A few citizens

Each of these legal designations included categories; even within the upper classes, women and children were typically at the bottom. Tune in next month for a look at the limits, challenges, and opportunities women of the Roman Empire faced.

Step into the shadowy streets of 96 AD Ephesus, where danger lurks around every corner, and the line between friend and foe is razor-thin. Fortunes of Death, plunges you into a world where faith is tested, alliances are shattered, and one woman's courage could be the difference between life and death.

Sabina, a fierce young Christian widow, is thrust into a deadly game when a wealthy citizen is murdered. With her friend’s life hanging in the balance, Sabina must unravel a web of lies, deceit, and hidden motives. Every clue she uncovers brings her closer to the truth—and closer to becoming the next victim.

This isn't just a murder mystery. It's a gripping tale of faith, resilience, and the power of one woman standing against the darkness.

Visit me at my website, on my Author Facebook page,

or purchase my books at:

Fortunes of Death

Obedient Unto Death

My Amazon book page

Liisa’s books have been called a cross between Agatha Christie and Francine Rivers. Her mystery novel, Obedient Unto Death, won the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award for a debut novel and first place in the Spiritual Fiction category. The sequel, Fortunes of Death, continues the Secrets of Ephesus series, weaving fascinating Christian twists into the historical mystery genre of the first-century Roman Empire. Liisa’s travels to Turkey, Greece, and Italy have enriched her stories with vivid depictions of New Testament culture, history, and people.

A Festive Cena: Evening Dining with Rome’s Elite

by Liisa Eyerly

In ancient Rome, how—and what—you ate was one of the clearest markers of where you stood in society—food drew one of the sharpest lines between power and poverty. Roman Feast by Roberto Bompiani, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

For the elite, dining was a spectacle. Every meal, especially the evening banquet, was a stage, every dish a declaration. Imported spices, rare fruits, exotic meats—these weren’t just foods, but symbols, proclaiming wealth, influence, and control. Servants, silver and gold dinnerware, and ceremony transformed eating into a performance of dominance.

For the poor, food meant survival. Their tables held plain bread, humble grains, and whatever olives, vegetables, or scraps could be afforded. No luxury, no variety—just the bare essentials to endure another day of labor.

Two worlds shared the same city, but not the same table.

Supper or Cena (Main Meal) late afternoon to evening.

Poor—when they returned home from work, often after dark.
Elite—known for their socializing and dinner parties that could last several hours, with reclining couches, entertainment, and wine. An elaborate procession of gustatio–prima mensa–secunda mensa. Three (or more) courses - Appetizer - Main course - Dessert. Often followed by an after-dinner drinking party.

No Guests, No Showmanship
Anonymous Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Even wealthy Romans didn’t stage a banquet every night. When it was just the family, Cena was:

✨ 1. Smaller in Scale
Fewer courses—often just two (a main course and a simple dessert).

✨ 2. More Comfortable and Intimate
Reclining was still common, but the atmosphere was relaxed.
Family members ate together without the pressure of political theater.
Fewer slaves were needed for serving—maybe just a couple instead of a full staff.

✨ 3. Traditional, Not Showy

Without guests to impress, Roman elites didn’t waste expensive delicacies. Nothing that required exotic ingredients or hours of preparation—just good household cooking.
Instead of flamingo tongues or peacock, they might eat:
· Grilled fish or chicken
· Vegetables like cabbage, leeks, or lentils
· Bread and cheese
· Fruit in season
When not entertaining, even the elites did not eat tons of meat, but when they did, fish, seafood, poultry, smoked pork liver sausage, roasted goat, boiled hare, and baked scrambled eggs were common. Vatican Museums, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

✨ 4. Even on a Modest Night, the Meals of the Elite Were Still Better Than the Poor.
· The oil was of better quality – pressed from their own olive groves
· The bread was fresher – baked daily at home
· The produce was more varied – harvested from their personal farms and orchards
· The meat was regular, not rare – supplied from their own farms, often just outside the city or town
· Spices like pepper or coriander were used freely

Some of these foods sound surprisingly modern until you discover recipes from the Roman chef Apicius, for fish liver pudding, stuffed dormice, brain-stuffed squash fritters, and rose patina, a baked dish of scrambled brain and eggs, flavored with roses.

Three of the Strangest Foods Elite Romans Actually Ate

1. Stuffed Dormice  
These little rodents fattened on nuts and acorns. The elite stuffed them with minced pork, pepper, pine nuts, and honey, then roasted them to a golden crisp.
A luxury delicacy—but to modern diners, the idea alone is… memorable.

2. Flamingo Tongues (served at a dinner party in book three, “Powers of Death”)
Yes… flamingos. Elite Romans prized the bird’s bright feathers and considered the tongue the true delicacy. Cookbooks describe boiling them with dates, wine, pepper, and vinegar.

They weren’t eaten for taste so much as for shock value—proof that the host had the means to serve the rarest, most impractical foods.

3. Jellyfish and Sea Urchin Custard
Recipes based on Apicius’s Cookbook IX (1st–4th-century cookbook in modern wording), include recipes for cooked jellyfish dressed with vinegar, oil, and herbs, and for sea urchins mashed into a thick custard. Part seafood, part dessert: this savory-sweet, custard-like dish was meant to impress (or intimidate!) dinner guests.
Alexcooper1 at English Wikipedia (Alex Pronove)  

Apicius’ Sea Urchin Custard.
Ingredients:
Fresh sea urchins (whole)
Eggs
Pepper
Liquamen or garum (Roman fish sauce)
Passum (sweet raisin wine) or another sweet wine
Optional: a little oil 

Directions:
· Pierce the sea urchins and blend their contents with eggs.
· Season with pepper, liquamen, and sweet wine.
· Pour the mixture back into the shells—or small clay dishes
· Gently cook in hot water in its shell (or in a small dish) until set like a custard mixture
· Serve warm with a sprinkle of pepper

Romans didn’t necessarily love it… But they loved showing they could afford it. Remember, food wasn’t always about taste—it was about wealth, novelty, and the status of serving something rare and difficult to prepare. A true marquee item for a lavish Roman feast. Next month, we’ll delve into the rich world of Roman wines.

For more authentic ancient Roman recipes for modern kitchens, including garum and Roman cheese cake, you can visit Laura Hauser’s website 18 Authentic Ancient Roman Recipes for Modern Kitchens - Recipes For Life

SECRETS OF EPHESUS SERIES

The award-winning series unveils gripping historical mysteries set in the perilous world of ancient Rome. In Obedient unto Death, a scribe is murdered during an illicit Christian gathering. Sabina, a fearless believer, navigates a treacherous world of deceit and betrayal to discover the killer.

In Fortunes of Death, our sleuth returns—risking everything to expose murder, magic, and corruption beneath the empire’s glittering surface. Reviewer Deborah Anne raves: “Murder mystery—Intrigue—Love—Fellowship through Christ. This series has it all! Eyerly is wonderful! If you’re tired of boring—read this series! I love a good mystery!” Prepare to be hooked!

Liisa’s books have been called a cross between Agatha Christie and Francine Rivers. Her mystery, Obedient Unto Death, won the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award for a debut novel and first place in the Spiritual Fiction category. The sequel, Fortunes of Death, continues the Secrets of Ephesus series, weaving fascinating Christian twists into the historical mystery genre of the first-century Roman Empire. Liisa’s travels to Turkey, Greece, and Italy have enriched her stories with vivid depictions of New Testament culture, history, and people.

Over the years, she’s been a teacher, small business owner, librarian, and lifelong learner. She and her husband live in northern Wisconsin, where she channels her love of history, faith, and mystery into writing captivating and inspiring novels.

Purchase her books at:
Crossriver Media https://www.crossrivermedia.com/product/fortunes-of-death/
Amazon book page https://amzn.to/3Di2gyQ

Visit Liisa at:
Her website www.LiisaEyerly.com
Author Facebook page at Liisa Eyerly Author page

Every day is a Holiday: The Dining of Rome’s Privileged

by Liisa Eyerly

The Roman Empire stretched across continents, and with every conquest came new flavors, ingredients, and culinary habits. Exotic foods from distant provinces—spices from Arabia, fruits from Persia, seafood from North Africa—filtered into Roman kitchens. All classes tasted some of this diversity, but it was the elite who truly indulged. They embraced costly delicacies not just for pleasure, but for display—sometimes eating strange or downright unappetizing dishes simply to flaunt their wealth or their access to rare foreign goods.

(Just ask any Roman about garum, the infamous fermented fish sauce produced in massive coastal factories like the one depicted in the archaeological museum at Nabeul!)

If you’ve watched Roman-themed films or read some of my other posts, you know that for the upper classes a meal wasn’t just nourishment—it was theater. A feast was a social event, a political performance, and a declaration of status. As you climbed the social ladder, the food, spices, and preparation became increasingly elaborate, turning the dining room into a stage where power and prosperity were on full display.

Breakfast or ientaculum (sunrise to 8am, later for elites)

Poor - The poor needed calories for their workday and probably had very little variety in their day-old bread, cold barley or spelt porridge, and handfuls of olives augmented with occasional dates, raisins, or onions, and washing it down with cheap diluted wine or posca (a vinegar-water drink common for soldiers and the poor.)

Elite – Despite their wealth, even elites kept breakfast modest, saving extravagance for the midday prandium or the evening cena. A tasteful Roman wasn’t expected to gorge themselves at sunrise!

· The warm, tempting scent of fresh bread that Sabina, my sleuth, breathes in during her early morning walks past the public bakeries would drift just as richly through the private kitchens of the wealthy. Long before sunrise, their cooks and slaves were already kneading dough by lamplight, preparing the daily loaves that would be served with honey, costly olive oil, or soft cheeses from goat, cow, or sheep. Codrin.B / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0 & GFDL

· Porridge: although a staple on all tables, the elite would enrich theirs with honey, nuts, milk, and of course, fruit, which also topped pancakes and filled pastries.

· Fresh fruit: both local and imported would be piled on platters, cooked into jams, and squeezed into juice; fresh figs, grapes, pears, pomegranates, apples, exotic Syrian cherries, Persian peaches, and citrons, a rare citrus symbolizing status and luxury for the ancient Roman ruling elite. Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
· Eggs: boiled, fried, and in omelets made from all sorts of poultry were a common breakfast protein. Chicken, duck, goose, and rare but served as a sign of status—pigeon, dove, and peacock eggs.
· Cooked meat: Usually reserved for lunch or the evening meal but cold sausages, meat pies from the previous day, and fish was served.

This fresco is on a wall of a hallway of a Pompeii home that had a bakery in its annex. The fresco depicts a goblet of wine and various fruits, that include a pomegranate and a likely date. The pizza-like bread appears to have moretum, a cheese spread with herbs that was popular in ancient Rome. (see recipe link below)

Lunch or Prandium (Midday Meal) — (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) The Romans did not enjoy eating a large meal in the heat of the day. Lunch was generally light and informal—even for wealthy households. It was often eaten: * Sitting on a small stool * At a simple household table *Standing in the kitchen courtyard

Poor – cold meal to keep up energy – leftovers, bread (olive oil), carrots, turnips, and congealed porridge. Posca or cheap water-down wine.
Elite —
· Cold meats from last night’s dinner
· Grilled fish, shellfish, or poultry 
· Salads of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, and olive oil
· Light pastries or sweetened nuts
· Egg dishes, omelets and custards
· Imported fruit like cherries, peaches, or figs
· Bread with honey, olive oil, and cheese
· Drinks: Diluted fine wine, Mulsum (wine with honey), Herbal drinks, and flavored waters

· Moretum —a Roman cheese spread made by mixing goat cheese with herbs, nuts, and olive oil using a mortar and pestle. It was eaten on flatbreads, much like modern dips or spreads. Some versions had garlic, resembling early pesto, while others used fruit for sweetness.

recipe https://recipes-for-life.com/ancient-roman-recipes/ 

Self-photographed by User:Bullenwächter, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

For elites, lunch was a chance to refresh and socialize—never a feast, but decidedly pleasant.

We’ve now worked our way toward next month's blog post - the grand finale: cena, the evening meal—where elite Romans truly put their wealth, refinement, and ambition on display. If you’d like to dive deeper into the fascinating world of Roman dining, I’ve explored these topics in earlier blog posts on my website, liisaeyerly.com.

In my August 2020 post, If You Eat With Your Fingers, You Might Be a Roman, I walk through the elaborate structure of elite dinners, including the ideal number of guests and the strict seating hierarchy that governed every triclinium.

And in February 2021, Grilled Sow’s Belly for Dinner, Anyone?, I highlight some of the most extravagant foods ever served at a Roman feast—among them one of my personal favorites: tender, milk-fed snails.

Together, these posts offer a vivid look at the rituals, extravagance, and surprising delicacies that made a Roman dinner an unforgettable social event.

SECRETS OF EPHESUS SERIES

Obedient Unto Death opens a gripping historical-mystery series set in the perilous world of first-century Rome, where early Christians walk a razor’s edge between faith and survival. In Fortunes of Death, fearless Christian sleuth Sabina returns—risking everything to expose murder, magic, and corruption beneath the empire’s glittering surface. With rich historical detail and powerful spiritual themes, author Liisa Eyerly delivers intrigue, danger, and hope in equal measure. Reviewer Deborah Anne raves: “Murder mystery—Intrigue—Love—Fellowship through Christ. This series has it all! Eyerly is wonderful! If you’re tired of boring—read this series! I love a good mystery!” Prepare to be hooked!

Liisa’s books have been called a cross between Agatha Christie and Francine Rivers. Her mystery novel, Obedient Unto Death, won the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award for a debut novel and first place in the Spiritual Fiction category. The sequel, Fortunes of Death, continues with fresh intrigue and devilish twists. Liisa’s travels through Turkey, Greece, and Italy bring authenticity and color to every page, enriching her mysteries with vivid depictions of New Testament culture, history, and the people who shaped it.

Over the years, she’s been a teacher, small business owner, librarian, and lifelong learner. She and her husband live in northern Wisconsin where she channels her love of history, faith, and mystery into writing captivating and inspiring novels. Liisa’s journey into writing proves it’s never too late to follow your dreams and share your passion with the world.

Purchase her books at:
Crossriver Media https://www.crossrivermedia.com/product/fortunes-of-death/
Amazon book page https://amzn.to/3Di2gyQ

Visit Liisa at:
Her website www.LiisaEyerly.com
Author Facebook page at Liisa Eyerly Author page

Bibliography:
Wikipedia.com
Grokapedia.com
What did the ancient romans eat for breakfast? - Ancient Rome - February 24, 2023 by Ellen Hunter

Poor vs. Wealthy: Dining in Ancient Rome (part 2 0f 2) by Liisa Eyerly

Last month, I dove into the street food culture of ancient Rome, where the scent of fish stews and sizzling vegetables drifted through narrow alleyways. In a city where most residents lived in cramped insulae—apartment buildings where cooking fires were a deadly hazard—home kitchens were often banned. Instead of stirring a pot at home, Romans flocked to their neighborhood thermopolia—bustling takeout counters lined with steaming clay jars—or to lively tabernae, where mugs of wine, dice games, and gossip flowed late into the night.

These humble establishments kept the city fed and fueled, dishing up far more than survival fare: they offered flavors, fellowship, and a taste of the empire’s diversity in every bite.

What Was on the Menu for the Poor

Specialties—Thermopolia had large clay jars called dolia set into counters, kept warm over embers, ready to ladle out hearty fare: see menu.

• Taberna/tavern Favorites—Taberna catered to travelers and locals alike with portable foods:
• Bread: Flatbreads or round loaves—panis—sometimes topped with cheese, garlic, or herbs—think of it as ancient proto-pizza.
• Olives, Cheese, and Nuts: served alongside bread.
• Cured Meats: Ham, sausages, or salted cuts for those on the go.
• Stuffed Pastries: Filled with honey, dates, or minced meat for a sweet or savory treat.

For most Romans, eating out wasn’t a luxury—it was a daily necessity.

Dining Like the Wealthy
While the working class dined on the go, the wealthy elite lived a completely different culinary life. Their homes featured fully equipped kitchens with ovens and fireplaces for roasting and boiling, as well as servants or enslaved cooks to plan, purchase, and prepare elaborate meals. Dinner parties usually included reclining on dining couches.

Luxury households included:
Imported Ice from mountaintops to chill wine and delicacies.

Maintained gardens for fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers.

Owned farms, orchards, and vineyards, supplying their homes with meat, poultry, olives, nuts, fruit, and wine.

Stocked preserved goods: pickled vegetables, cured meats, and rare spices imported from across the empire.

For the elite, a meal was a feast, a social event, and a statement of wealth and power.

What You Wouldn’t Find on Any Table—Pasta
Despite Rome’s influence on Mediterranean cuisine, pasta as we know it didn’t exist:

Durum wheat was known, but dried pasta dishes didn’t appear until the Middle Ages, influenced by Arab cuisine. The closest Roman creation was lagana, thin sheets of dough layered with fillings—an ancestor of lasagna, but without tomato sauce or mozzarella.

Whether dining at a crowded thermopolia counter or reclining at a lavish banquet, Romans—rich or poor—shared one thing in common: a love of flavorful, well-prepared food. Their meals tell a story not only of class divides, but also of ingenuity, trade, and the rhythms of urban life two thousand years ago.

Fortunes of Death

In the bustling streets of ancient Ephesus, fortunes can change in an instant. When one of the city’s wealthiest citizens is found crushed beneath his own triumphant memorial, the powerful elite demand justice—but at what cost? Enigmatic investigator Sabina faces her most perilous case yet. As secrets unravel and enemies close in, she must navigate political intrigue, dark sorcery, and forbidden love to uncover the truth. In a city where everyone has something to hide, who can be trusted? And how far will Sabina go to solve a mystery that could cost her everything?

Liisa’s books have been called a cross between Agatha Christie and Francine Rivers. Her mystery novel, Obedient Unto Death, won the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award for a debut novel and first place in the Spiritual Fiction category. The sequel, Fortunes of Death, continues the Secrets of Ephesus series, weaving fascinating Christian twists into the historical mystery genre of the first-century Roman Empire. Liisa’s travels to Turkey, Greece, and Italy have enriched her stories with vivid depictions of New Testament culture, history, and people.

Liisa’s journey into writing proves it’s never too late to follow your dreams and share your passion with the world.

Purchase her books at:

Crossriver Media https://www.crossrivermedia.com/product/fortunes-of-death/

Amazon book page https://amzn.to/3Di2gyQ

Visit Liisa at:

Her website www.LiisaEyerly.com

Author Facebook page at Facebook

Ancient Rome’s Fast Food: Dining on the Go, 2,000 Years Ago (part 1 0f 2) by Liisa Eyerly

It’s the end of a long day. You’re tired, hungry, and the thought of grocery shopping, chopping vegetables, cooking, and cleaning feels like too much. So, like many of us, you opt for something quick—a drive-through burger, a boxed pizza, or a burrito in a paper bag.

But here’s a fun twist: we’re not the first culture to crave quick meals after a busy day. Ancient Romans had their own version of “fast food,” and it was even more common than ours!

 

Life in the Insulae: A Recipe for Fast Food  

In the centuries surrounding the time of Christ, most city dwellers in Rome and throughout the Empire lived in insulae—densely packed, multi-story apartment blocks. Built mostly of wood, these buildings were notorious fire hazards. With no dedicated police force, Rome relied on vigils, a dual night watch and fire brigade, who patrolled streets with buckets and ladders, always ready to fight the next blaze. Italo Gismondi in GUIDO CALZA: Le origini latine dell'abitazione moderna (I), CC BY-SA 3.0<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Because fire was such a constant danger, many insulae banned cooking indoors. Imagine living in a tiny apartment with no kitchen! Families could nibble on bread, fruit, cheese, or dried fish at home, but if you wanted a hot meal, you had to step outside.

The Roman Solution: Tabernae and Thermopolia (or thermopolium)
If you couldn’t cook your meals in a private kitchen—where would you go? Many Romans purchased food at a tavern or food stand.

Tabernae were bustling taverns where patrons could grab a drink, gamble, socialize, and eat simple meals. My first book, Obedient Unto Death, has Sabina visiting a taberna, A definite no-no for an upper-class woman. Mentnafunangann, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Thermopolia were the true fast-food counters. These street-side shops featured L-shaped counters with embedded dolia (large clay jars) filled with steaming soups, stews, meats, and vegetables, ready to serve.

Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered stunning examples of thermopolia, their walls decorated with vivid frescoes of ducks, fish, and amphorae—ancient menus painted in brilliant colors. Customers didn’t sit and linger; they grabbed a bowl of hot food, maybe a cup of watered wine, and ate on the go.

A thermopolia excavated along a main street in ancient Sardis contained two cooking hearths and ceramic and glass dishes for serving food. An L-shaped masonry bench built outside the main door provided customers with seating in the shaded portico. A double-seat latrine was installed in the opposite corner inside. Wide openings in one corner of the structure likely functioned as serving windows, designed so attendants could pass food and drink directly to patrons gathered beneath the portico.

Ancient Convenience, Familiar Feeling
So the next time you’re waiting in line at McDonald’s, Wendy’s, or Little Caesars, picture a bustling Roman street lined with food counters, steam rising from dolia, and merchants shouting the day’s specials. Ancient Romans may not have had French fries or egg rolls, but they shared our need for quick, affordable meals in a busy world.

History reminds us that “fast food” isn’t a modern invention—it’s a timeless solution for tired, hungry people.

Fortunes of Death

In the bustling streets of ancient Ephesus, fortunes can change in an instant. When one of the city’s wealthiest citizens is found crushed beneath his own triumphant memorial, the powerful elite demand justice—but at what cost? Enigmatic investigator Sabina faces her most perilous case yet. As secrets unravel and enemies close in, she must navigate political intrigue, dark sorcery, and forbidden love to uncover the truth. In a city where everyone has something to hide, who can be trusted? And how far will Sabina go to solve a mystery that could cost her everything?


Liisa’s books have been called a cross between Agatha Christie and Francine Rivers. Her mystery novel, Obedient Unto Death, won the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award for a debut novel and first place in the Spiritual Fiction category. The sequel, Fortunes of Death, continues the Secrets of Ephesus series, weaving fascinating Christian twists into the historical mystery genre of the first-century Roman Empire. Liisa’s travels to Turkey, Greece, and Italy have enriched her stories with vivid depictions of New Testament culture, history, and people.

Liisa’s journey into writing proves it’s never too late to follow your dreams and share your passion with the world.

Purchase her books at:

Crossriver Media https://www.crossrivermedia.com/product/fortunes-of-death/

Amazon book page https://amzn.to/3Di2gyQ

Visit Liisa at:

Her website www.LiisaEyerly.com

Author Facebook page at Facebook