Public Latrines in Ancient Rome :

by Sophie Garel on 6:27 AM in Information

To this day, the Roman civilization appears to us as a world of well-educated, healthy people who care much more about hygiene than, for example, in the Middle Ages. When it comes to the upper social spheres, the Romans certainly had a high standard of living. The houses of aristocrats, patricians, as well as equites living in the city, and even rural latifundia had pipes supplying public water from aqueducts. Interestingly, in order to limit water theft, an obligation was introduced to stamp lead pipes that were connected to aqueducts – this was a confirmation that water abstraction on the property was legal. It also had its own toilets and baths.

Contemporary analyzes say that in the 4th century there were a total of 144 public latrines (foricae) located in Rome. Interestingly, only a small part of them was connected to the main sewage system. These toilets were rooms, as a rule, consisting of a long gallery, and individual openings (most often marble) were located at short distances from each other. This way of dealing with the needs indirectly served the integration- 10 to 20 people could take care of their needs at one time.

Instead of paper, xylospongium or tersorium were used, a natural sea sponges (spongia) placed on sticks, which were put back in the bowl of water after use (so that they would probably get wet). Vinegar was often used for disinfection. There were usually small channels on the floor with fresh water, which was supplied by aqueducts. Latrines usually accompanied public baths.

The latrines could be used by both patricians and commoners (were mostly free). Sometimes the poor simply allowed themselves to empty themselves down the drain. The latrine system was found in many places of the Empire, including in the Roman fort in Hadrian’s Wall, in Pompeii or Herculaneum. It is worth mentioning that the portico of the theatre where the treacherously murdered was Julius Caesar during the March id of 44 BCE it was turned into a public toilet over time (due to the bad history of the place).
Source: Imperium Romanum
Faroek Sakridan