Non-official travellers needed refreshment too, and different grades of facilities were available, often at the same locations as the
mansiones.
Cauponae A private system of
cauponae were placed near the
mansiones. They performed the same functions but were somewhat disreputable, as they were frequented by thieves and prostitutes. Graffiti decorate the walls of the few whose ruins have been found.
Tabernae Genteel travellers needed something better than
cauponae. In the early days of the
viae, when little unofficial travel existed, houses placed near the road were required by law to offer hospitality on demand. Frequented houses no doubt became the first tabernae (Latin word "
taberna" ("shed" or "hut"; from
tabula, meaning "board"), which were
hostels, rather than the "
taverns" we know today. A
tabernaculum or small taberna was a portable place of worship for the
Hebrews, thus producing the word
tabernacle. As Rome grew, so did its tabernae, becoming more luxurious and acquiring good or bad reputations as the case may be. One of the best hostels was the Tabernae Caediciae at
Sinuessa on the
Via Appia. It had a large storage room containing barrels of wine, cheese and ham. Many cities of today grew up around a taberna complex, such as
Rheinzabern in the Rhineland, and
Saverne in
Alsace.
Mutationes A third system of
way stations serviced vehicles and animals: the
mutationes ("changing stations") (). In these complexes, the driver could purchase the services of wheelwrights, cartwrights, and
equarii medici, or veterinarians. Using these stations in chariot relays, the emperor
Tiberius hastened 200 miles in 24 hours to join his brother,
Drusus Germanicus, who was dying of
gangrene as a result of a fall from a horse.
Stationes Stationes are mostly known though the
Antonine Itinerary and may be similar to
mansiones. ==See also==