The mutatio is a stopping place distributed every 10 to 15 km, for the simple relaxation and the possible change of mount.
There was a mansio every three mutationes. They were about 30 to 50 km apart.
Held by the caupo, it is a well-equipped stopover place and possibly allowing you to spend the night there. There was an inn for the meal, a stable service - the stabulum - for the rest of the mounts, a blacksmith, even a wheelwright in charge of the maintenance of the vehicles.
The horrea of the Annona
In parallel with the inns, there were horrea, warehouses which were used for the cura annonae, the service of the annona of the goods for the capital of the Empire.
Many writings have come down to us concerning life in these inns. These tabernae sometimes had a very bad reputation and the traveler often preferred to camp nearby, use the deuersorium (public accommodation for the richest) or better, be invited by letter of introduction by practicing hospitium (hospitality).