Lunch and Siesta in Ancient Rome for Kids Illustration

Ancient Rome
Lunch and Siesta

In the afternoon, wealthy Romans took a break called a siesta. During the siesta, everyone went home and ate lunch, then took a nap or just relaxed with family and friends.  Even children in school went home during siesta.  During siesta, the streets of Rome were deserted.  Siesta usually lasted about two hours. After siesta, wealthy Romans went back to work or school or whatever they were doing that day. Poor Romans worked all day.

For lunch, the wealthy would eat a meal of bread, salad, olives, cheese, fruit and nuts, and cold meat or fish left over from the previous night.  The poor would make do with some vegetables, porridge, or bread and cheese.

Breakfast

Dinner

Daily Life in Ancient Rome

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