Collegium Pistorum
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The Collegium Pistorum was the officially recognized collegium (guild) of bakers in ancient Rome, playing a central role in the production and distribution of bread and the regulation of the Roman grain supply.
In the late Roman Republic, bread shifted from a luxury good to an everyday staple. There is disagreement about its foundation,[1] with some historians arguing that it was founded by the Emperor Trajan[2] while others arguing that it was established in 168 BC[3] to regulate and control the market. Trajan did put the collegium under the Praefectus annonae.[4] The Collegium became critical to the ancient Roman grain supply.[5] As a consequence, the Collegium was granted its own seat in the Senate.[5]
Unlike many Roman collegia its notability and prestige meant that it attracted historical attention.[6]
