Ep 1: Ancient Roman Public Bathrooms
Ancient Roman Public Restrooms
For our first topic, we explored ancient Roman public restrooms, a subject that may not immediately come to mind when using modern facilities. However, examining the historical context of sanitation allows us to appreciate how far we have progressed in personal hygiene and infrastructure.
Public restrooms in ancient Rome were quite different from contemporary ones. Unlike today’s enclosed, private stalls, Roman public toilets typically consisted of rows of seats positioned side by side, offering little to no privacy. This arrangement necessitated a degree of socialization, as individuals were required to use the facilities in close proximity to others. Though Rome did not invent the toilet, it significantly influenced the way communal sanitation was managed throughout history.
The act of using the restroom in ancient Rome was not a silent or solitary endeavor. Instead, it was a communal experience where individuals engaged in conversation with their neighbors. Long garments worn at the time provided some modesty, as they draped over the body while in use. Despite this, the lack of privacy may seem unthinkable by modern standards.
One of the most striking aspects of Roman sanitation was the absence of toilet paper. Instead, Romans employed a sponge affixed to a stick, known as a tersorium, for personal hygiene. Rather than disposing of these sponges after use, they were cleaned in a shared water source and reused by others, a practice that would be considered highly unsanitary today. The communal nature of these cleaning instruments (dubbed in our episode as the communal wiping wand) raises concerns about hygiene and disease transmission, but it was a standard practice in that era.
Additionally, these public facilities were not free from other hazards. Rats were a common nuisance, often gathering in restrooms and posing a risk to users. The possibility of encountering rodents while using the facilities added yet another challenge to an already uncomfortable experience. Such conditions highlight the stark contrast between ancient and modern sanitation standards.
Despite these drawbacks, public restrooms in ancient Rome were not readily accessible to all. Archaeological evidence, including graffiti found outside these facilities, suggests that wait times were long. This implies that restrooms were in high demand, possibly serving as spaces where individuals, particularly those of lower socioeconomic status or enslaved persons, could engage in conversation away from their overseers.
It is important to recognize that these restrooms represented a significant advancement in public sanitation. Before their development, individuals often relieved themselves in open areas, leading to unsanitary conditions in densely populated cities. The Roman public restroom system, though flawed by today’s standards, was a step toward organized waste management.
Scholarly interest in ancient sanitation is a relatively recent development. Prior to the twentieth century, discussions on such topics were largely avoided in academic circles. Only in the last hundred years have researchers begun to seriously study the historical significance of sanitation practices. The study of Roman public restrooms provides valuable insight into the daily lives of people in antiquity and highlights the evolution of hygiene and infrastructure.
While our modern restroom experiences are vastly different, reflecting on the past allows us to appreciate the conveniences we often take for granted. The development of sanitation has played a crucial role in public health, and understanding historical practices offers a deeper appreciation for the progress that has been made in this essential aspect of daily life.
In any case, dwelling on these ancient Roman bathrooms makes us thankful and appreciative of the bathroom spaces we have today.
