Chocolate birthday cake.
The Birthday Cake Has Fascinating Ancient Roman Origins

NEWS

By ALEX SPRINGER
A birthday cake with candles.
Romans took their feasting seriously, which meant that times they were set to celebrate big events, including birthdays, often adopted a religious tone.
Statue of Roman goddess.
They praised the gods and goddesses of their pantheon, asking them for help and protection throughout the coming year, and the birthday cake was a big part of this process.
A painting of a Roman celebration.
Before cutting loose for their birthday celebration, Roman citizens would pray to their respective spiritual attendants, who were responsible for guiding them.
A honey cake in a pan on a kitchen counter.
They would then make an offering to their spiritual attendant, and among the offerings was a honey cake made from spelt flour, pine nuts, honey, eggs, and sweet raisin wine.
A honey cake dusted with powdered sugar.
When it came time to evoke the spirit of Bacchus at one's birthday celebration, these honey cakes were also served as a way to mark the occasion.