What term describes the first meal of the day in Roman culture?

The term that describes the first meal of the day in Roman culture is ientaculum. In ancient Rome, meals were an important part of daily life and were typically structured around specific times of the day. The ientaculum was usually a light meal eaten in the morning, often consisting of bread and perhaps cheese or fruit.

Other meals during the day included the prandium, which was typically eaten around midday and was more substantial, and cena, the main evening meal, which could be quite elaborate and lengthy. The term gusto does not relate to Roman meals; rather, it pertains to taste or enjoyment. Understanding these classifications helps clarify the structure of Roman dining customs and the significance of each meal within their daily routine.