In Roman times, toilets used to be a public and convivial place. An epigram from Martial reveals just how public privies were among the most frequented places in the city for socializing:
“In omnibus Vacerra quod conclavibus consumit horas et die toto sedet, cenaturit Vacerra, non cacaturit.”
which translates to “In privies Vacerra consumes the hours; the whole day does he sit; Vacerra wants to dine, he does not want to shit” Martial – Book 11 – Epigram 77
Fresco from a corridor leading to a latrine with Isis protecting a man relieving himself and the words Cacator cave malum (Shitter beware the evil) Naples Archaeological Museum
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To modern readers, this can sound rather shocking as, for us, going to the toilet is most definitely a private matter. However, public latrines were perfectly acceptable in Ancient Rome.
Toilets are to be found at many archaeological sites. They vary in size and shape from the large semi-circular or rectangular ones to the smaller private ones with up to 10 seats. Here is a collection of public toilets (foricae) I have photographed at different sites.
The latrines near the Forum Baths at Ostia Antica (Italy).The latrines near the Forum Baths at Ostia Antica (Italy). The stone seating is still preserved around the walls, and there is a small basin next to the pillar, which separates the two doorways into the room.The latrine along Frontinus Street (colonnaded street) was built at the end of the 1st century AD at Hieropolis (Turkey). The room is divided longitudinally by a row of columns that support a roof composed of travertine blocks.A very well-preserved public latrine at Timgad (Algeria) with seat armrests carved in the form of dolphins.The latrines at Timgad.A public latrine at Djemila (Algeria).The latrines of the gymnasium of Salamis (Cyprus), a semicircular structure with a roof supported by columns. It had a capacity of 44.The latrines of the Great Baths complex at Ancient Dion (Greece).The rectangular latrines of the gymnasium at Metropolis in Ionia (Turkey).The latrines for 12-14 people in the House of Theseus at Paphos (Cyprus) are decorated with a geometric mosaic.The latrines in the Baths of the Laberii at Uthina (Tunisia).The public latrines with an open courtyard paved and a mosaic floor at Scythopolis (Israel).The latrines of the palaestra at Philippi (Greece).The latrines of Minturnae (Minturno, Italy) are located in the Imperial forum.The partly restored public latrines at Magnesia ad Maeandrum (Turkey).The latrines were intended to serve the public that frequented the Roman Agora in Athens. It was a rectangular hall with seats on 4 sides. It was roofed except for the centre area, which was open for ventilation, 1st century AD.The public latrines at Caesarea (Israel) date to the Byzantine period.The latrines at Ephesus (Turkey). They were part of the Scholastica Baths and were built in the 1st century AD.The latrines at Ephesus were the public toilets of the city.The latrines of the gymnasium at Tralles (Turkey). They are one of the largest Roman latrines in Turkey, with a capacity of 65 people.Multi-seat latrines in the Hospitalia of Hadrian’s Villa. They were designed for people of differing social classes (the Emperor and his guests had single-seaters).Reconstruction drawing of a public latrine at Forum Hadriani (Germania Inferior).
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Some latrines were adorned with marble revetments and fountains like the latrines of the Wrestlers Baths at Saint-Romain-en-Gal (France). The walls were decorated with frescoes depicting wrestlers and discus throwers under the supervision of a referee.
The latrines of the Baths of the Wrestlers at Saint-Romain-En-Gal (France). They were luxurious public toilets adorned with frescoes representing wrestlers and a referee.Fresco from the luxurious latrine of the Baths of the Wrestlers depicting wrestlers, 3rd century AD, Saint-Romain-En-Gal (France)
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Private toilets have been found in Roman houses and upstairs apartments. Pompeii and Herculaneum have good examples of these (see Image Gallery: Pompeii’s Toilets).
A single latrine in the Lupanar of PompeiiReconstruction of a single latrine next to the culina (kitchen) at the Pompejanum (Germany), an idealized replica of a Roman villa.Late Roman toilet seat in rosso antico (red marble from southern Greece) witha hole in the seat. Vatican Museums, Rome.
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However, if you were not fortunate enough to live in a house with a toilet, you would use a chamber pot.
Communal latrines were also present in the camps set up by the Roman armies, particularly on the frontiers of the Roman Empire. Some of the best representations of soldier’s toilets are to be found around Hadrian’s Wall in Britain.
That was a great article. I am doing Ancient Rome and this week we have been looking at Roman Public Toilets and i needed some information about some of the good features in a Roman Public toilet
The painting of Roman soldiers sitting on “toilet seats” is a historical misconception. Everyone used the natural squatting position (unless they were disabled) until the middle of the nineteenth century. See this link for more information: http://www.naturesplatform.com/health_benefits.html#antiquity
that was a stupid reference. He gives no support for his theory either. Plus says only Kings and queens had the benefit of running water. Guess he never really examined the public Roman latrines. They had a water evacuation system.
It was a meeting place. a place to converse. No one is going to squat for that entire time.
I just visited the Roman latrines next to the 2nd century theater in Beit She’an, Israel. The ‘seats’ are marble slabs jutting out from the walls with a channel of running water below.
It is liked widely by people as it has the magical power to preventt surfaces from
becoming excessively wet. They are trained in end of life care, and they understand what can and should be done ffor
patients in their final days. While the beeswax is melting, melt the
soap in the vinegar and water.
No doubt about it, the ancient Romans were superb engineers
Martial text: “toto the” error for “toto die”
Thank you, I corrected it!
That was a great article. I am doing Ancient Rome and this week we have been looking at Roman Public Toilets and i needed some information about some of the good features in a Roman Public toilet
I have just returned for Algeria and Tunisia. Fabulous Roman potties at several sites. Five at Timgad alone.
The painting of Roman soldiers sitting on “toilet seats” is a historical misconception. Everyone used the natural squatting position (unless they were disabled) until the middle of the nineteenth century. See this link for more information: http://www.naturesplatform.com/health_benefits.html#antiquity
that was a stupid reference. He gives no support for his theory either. Plus says only Kings and queens had the benefit of running water. Guess he never really examined the public Roman latrines. They had a water evacuation system.
It was a meeting place. a place to converse. No one is going to squat for that entire time.
I just visited the Roman latrines next to the 2nd century theater in Beit She’an, Israel. The ‘seats’ are marble slabs jutting out from the walls with a channel of running water below.
It is liked widely by people as it has the magical power to preventt surfaces from
becoming excessively wet. They are trained in end of life care, and they understand what can and should be done ffor
patients in their final days. While the beeswax is melting, melt the
soap in the vinegar and water.