<P> Over the course of the Republican period, the cena developed into two courses: a main course and a dessert with fruit and seafood (e.g. molluscs, shrimp). By the end of the Republic, it was usual for the meal to be served in three parts: one course (gustatio), main course (primae mensae), and dessert (secundae mensae). </P> <P> The Roman legions' staple ration of food was wheat . In the 4th century, most legionnaires ate as well as anyone in Rome . They were supplied with rations of bread and vegetables along with meats such as beef, mutton, or pork . Rations also depended on where the legions were stationed or were campaigning . Mutton was popular in Northern Gaul and Britannica, but pork was the main meat ration of the legions . </P> <P> From 123 BC, a ration of unmilled wheat (as much as 33 kg), known as the frumentatio, was distributed to as many as 200,000 people every month by the Roman state . There was originally a charge for this but from 58 BC this charge was abolished by the plebeian tribune Publius Clodius Pulcher . Individuals had to be citizens and domiciled in Rome to receive the frumentatio . </P> <P> Originally flat, round loaves made of emmer (a cereal grain closely related to wheat) with a bit of salt were eaten; among the upper classes, eggs, cheese, and honey, along with milk and fruit were also consumed . In the Imperial period, around the beginning of the Christian era, bread made of wheat was introduced; with time, more and more wheaten foods began to replace emmer loaves . There were many kinds of bread of differing quality . Typically white bread was baked for the elite, with darker bread baked for the middle class, and the darkest bread for the poor peasants . The bread was sometimes dipped in wine and eaten with olives, cheese, and grapes . At the time of the destruction of Pompeii in AD 79, there were at least 33 bakeries in that city . The Roman chefs made sweet buns flavored with blackcurrants and cheese cakes made with flour, honey, eggs, ricotta - like cheese and poppy seed . Sweet wine cakes were made with honey, reduced red wine and cinnamon . Fruit tarts were popular with the upper class, but the lower classes couldn't afford to personally make or purchase them from markets and vendors . </P>

What kind of cheese did ancient romans eat