Ancient Greek homes doubled as pubs and brothels

The kapeleia or lively Greek tavern features prominently in ancient Greek plays but so far no evidence of these establishments has been unearthed by archaeologists. Clare Kelly Blazeby, from the University of Leeds, however thinks she has found the kapeleias. They doubled as Greek private homes.

Some homes she investigated contained hundreds of drinking cups, far too many even for private parties of the well-off. Blazeby says that the most likely explanation is that the homes doubled as public houses. Porneia or brothels may also have been in private homes. An abundance of entrances, small rooms and facilities for bathing could indicate the dual use.

If this dual-use is true then it sheds interesting light on the classical Greek economy and also social life in ancient Greece. Blazeby said, "My research shows that a lot of trade was embedded within the domestic walls. It also changes our perception of who was drinking wine, and where they were doing it. Women, slaves and foreigners as well as ordinary Greeks, would all have enjoyed time and wine in a classical tavern."