Built in 1st century AD, these public latrines at the Scholastica Baths charged an entrance fee. Centered around an open pool, toilets lined the walls underneath a wooden ceiling supported by columns. A drainage system flowed beneath.
Public toilets in the ancient city of Ephesus
Almost every Roman city had large public latrines, where many people – often 20 or more – could relieve themselves in remarkably opulent settings.
This video by toldinstone explores how the use, decoration, and (many) hazards of Rome’s latrines.
“Ostia public toilet,” which shows a well-preserved public latrine in Ostia’s Forum Baths
Reconstruction drawing of public Latrine at Forum Hadriani, Aurelium Cananefatium/Forum Hadriani, Germania Inferior, Netherlands
Reconstruction drawing showing the original arrangement of the Latrine, Barracks, Isca Augusta
A line of timber seats was set over the drain, and in front was a gutter for the soldiers to wash the sponges which served them for lavatory paper.
Reconstruction drawing showing the communal latrines in use, Housesteads Roman Fort (Vercovicium)
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