Though ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks ate flatbreads with toppings, the contemporary birthplace of the pizza is southwestern Italy's Campania area, which includes Naples. Naples, which was founded in 600 BC as a Greek town, was a thriving beachfront city in the 1700s and early 1800s. Although technically an autonomous kingdom, it was infamous for its swarms of working poor, or lazzaroni. These Neapolitans required cheap meals that could be devoured fast. Pizza - flatbreads with toppings that can be eaten for every meal — met this requirement. These early pizzas included excellent toppings including tomatoes, cheese, oil, anchovies, and garlic. More affluent Italian authors criticised Naples' creativity, frequently labelling their eating habits repulsive ...Read More