The Archaeology of Sanitation in Roman Italy: Toilets, Sewers, and Water Systems

Studies in the History of Greece and Rome

by Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow

The Romans developed sophisticated methods for managing hygiene, including aqueducts for moving water from one place to another, sewers for removing used water from baths and runoff from walkways and roads, and public and private latrines. Through the archeological record, graffiti, sanitation-related paintings, and literature, Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow explores this little-known world of bathrooms and sewers, offering unique insights into Roman sanitation, engineering, urban planning and development, hygiene, and public health. Focusing on the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Ostia, and Rome, Koloski-Ostrow's work challenges common perceptions of Romans' social customs, beliefs about health, tolerance for filth in their cities, and attitudes toward privacy. In charting the complex history of sanitary customs from the late republic to the early empire, Koloski-Ostrow reveals the origins of waste removal technologies and their implications for urban health, past and present.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Italy, European History, Archaeology

307 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2015

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Archaeology of Sanitation in Roman Italy: Toilets, Sewers and Water Systems, by Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow, is a survey of Roman sanitary practices, customs and so on, based mostly on archaeological evidence and Roman Literature. The study looks at the design and proliferation of waste water systems in Roman Italy, as well as the socio-cultural implications of the design, placement and usage of toilets and latrines in Ancient Rome.

Koloski-Ostrow has done a good job listing some of the sites of waste systems. She notes the placement of latrines (usually ground level, for sewer access), and compares the design of public and private toilets in different locations in Italy. Generally, public toilets were dark, probably stank, and reserved for the poorer Romans. Private toilets were often out of the way in a household, and disconnected from the sphere of wealthy Romans. Public baths usually had connecting latrines for their clients to use, and some of these public latrines were beautifully decorated, and had access to running water.

The social and cultural aspects of sewage and waste systems in Rome are also examined. Koloski-Ostrow first decries the lack of study on waste water systems in Roman urban environments, and notes it is an important field of study to create a holistic picture of Roman urban planning and municipal administration. The placement of latrines is examined to try and deduce common attributes and glean information on planning guidelines in Rome, but their is scant evidence to indicate any concrete commonalities, which the author notes. The use of latrines as vectors for public health is discussed, but no concrete evidence can be gleaned. It is almost certain that a waste system existed in Roman societies in Italy, but the extent and sophistication of said systems is difficult to determine past the archaeological front. Certainly, Roman society used advanced techniques to transfer, store and utilize water resources, and these systems were almost certainly involved in waste disposal. However, societies did not necessarily connect human waste to disease until more modern times, and Koloski-Ostrow cautions against jumping to conclusions based on modern Western conceptions of waste systems.

All in all, this was a vary niche, but interesting survey of Roman water systems and their use for waste disposal in Roman Italy. Their is interesting points to consider here on urban planning and design, environmental systems, and societal conceptions of waste, cleanliness and disposal. It is interesting to think what it would have been like to be standing in a city like Ostia, or Pompeii or Rome, and the sights and (terrible) smells emanating all around. Koloski-Ostow has certainly done a highly academic job in describing and chronicling all that we know on waste disposal techniques in Roman Italy. A small complaint is the lack of background detail. Koloski-Ostrow does offer some descriptors to the reader to bring them up to speed on locations and such, but certainly a background understanding of Roman Italy is needed to comprehend some of the material in this book, as well as knowledge on public works. However, this is a small concern, and on the whole, Koloski-Ostrow has written an interesting book on Roman water systems and sewage. Can be recommended for those interested deeply in ancient Rome and Roman society, as this is certainly one of the more in-depth sides to examine its history. Who knew that books on ancient sewage could be so interesting?

[Brian Tallmadge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good book, if somewhat short. I was hoping for a deeper dive into the Cloaca Maxima and the engineering of Roman sewer systems in general, however the majority of the book focuses on toilets and Roman attitudes regarding them. Nonetheless, the book was well written and a fairly easy read.
A third of the book is taken up with photos and illustrations. The Kindle version does not contain links for the photos and illustrations.

[Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short book, introduced me to, some of the basics of sanitiation during Roman times. It raised, more questions, than answers to the design of water systems, and their implications. I suspect I will have to dig a fair deal deeper.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book.on Roman toilet use.

Really fascinating. I recommend it.

It covers physical archeology, wall art, accounts, satire, and graffiti.

There are related plates for visuals.