What modern meal is equivalent to the lunch introduced after the cēna?

The modern meal equivalent to the lunch introduced after the cēna is prandium. In ancient Roman society, after the main meal of the day, which was cēna, people would often have a lighter meal or snack known as prandium. This would typically occur in the late morning or early afternoon and included an assortment of foods, such as bread, fruits, and leftovers from the evening meal. Prandium served as a way to sustain energy and appetite until the next major meal.

Understanding this term in the context of Roman dining customs helps to illustrate the social and culinary practices of the time, reflecting a structured approach to meals that is somewhat paralleled in modern dining habits, where lunch serves a similar purpose of providing nourishment between breakfast and dinner.