How to Bake Roman Officers' Bread

Roman Officers' bread, also known as "panis militaris," was a staple food item in the ancient Roman army. It was a durable and nutritious bread that could last for several weeks, making it an ideal choice for long military campaigns. Here's how you can make it:

Ingredients: - 1 kg of whole wheat flour - 2 tsp of salt - 2 tsp of dried yeast - 2 tbsp of honey - 750 ml of lukewarm water

Instructions: 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. 2. In a separate bowl, mix the yeast, honey, and lukewarm water together. 3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until you have a smooth, elastic dough. 4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-15 minutes until it's smooth and springy to the touch. 5. Place the dough back in the mixing bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and leave it to rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1-2 hours, or until it's doubled in size. 6. Punch down the dough and knead it briefly again. 7. Divide the dough into two equal parts, and shape them into round loaves. 8. Place the loaves onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and leave them to rise for another 30-40 minutes. 9. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). 10. Using a sharp knife, make a few shallow slashes on the top of each loaf. 11. Bake the loaves for 40-50 minutes, or until they're golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. 12. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing and serving.

The resulting bread should be dense, nutty, and slightly sweet from the honey. It's a delicious and historically accurate way to experience a piece of ancient Roman cuisine.