The Macellum - Commercial Life and Economy in the Forum

What type of food was sold at the Macellum?

• Bread and pastries

• Dairy products

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat and fish

What was the original purpose of the Macellum thought to be by excavators?

• Temple

• Market

• School

• Library

Why was the Macellum misaligned with the forum?

• To fit between two roads

• To face a specific direction

• To accommodate more shops

• Due to a construction error

What was found in the north side of the building that indicated it was a market?

• Meat and fish

• Fish scales and bones

• Dairy products

• Remains of cereals and fruits

What caused damage to the Macellum before the eruption?

• Earthquake

• Volcanic eruption

• Tsunami

• Tornado

How does this source reveal commercial life in Pompeii?

Answer explanation

• - Markets, or macellum, were another prominent aspect of the economy.
  

• - Seen in the frieze in the Praedia of Julia Felix where scenes reveal the busy markets in the forum, more specifically the meat and fish market. The existence of these is verified by fish bones found scattered in the forum.

• 
  - Temporary markets were also common, these too are represented in the Frieze from the Praedia of Julia Felix which portrays scenes of a mules and carts carrying merchandise; a man displaying shoes; cloth merchants showing their wares to two women; a man selling bread and a fruit and vegetable stall, indicating stalls were set up for vendors to sell goods such as shoes, cloth, metal vessels, fruit and vegetables. As well as stalls situated in the surrounds of the ampitheatre, established to sell refreshments to patrons.