Public Roman Latrines, Ephesus
The Public Roman Latrines offer a surprisingly refined glimpse into the everyday life of the city鈥檚 inhabitants during the Roman era. Built in the 1st century CE, this communal restroom facility was part of a larger architectural plan that included the adjacent Scholastica Baths. The latrines were constructed over a channel with a constant flow of water, and the 48 toilet seats were simply holes cut into marble benches that lined three sides of the room. The center featured an open-air pool, which collected rainwater and provided a cooling effect during hot summers, while a wooden roof supported by elegant columns offered shelter from the elements. Mosaic floors added a decorative touch, blending sanitation with aesthetics.
In Roman society, public latrines were a necessity for most citizens, as private toilets were a luxury reserved for the elite. Though modern visitors may find the idea of communal defecation unsettling, such arrangements were not only standard practice but also served as social hubs. Men would gather here to chat, exchange gossip, and even recite poetry or conduct business. Roman poet Martial famously mocked this practice with the verse: 鈥淲hy does Vacerra spend his hours in all the privies, and day-long stoop? He wants a supper, not a poop.鈥� The latrines were warm in winter thanks to an underground steam heating system linked to the baths, and鈥攂elieve it or not鈥攕laves were sometimes sent ahead to warm the marble seats for wealthier patrons.
As modern toilet paper didn鈥檛 exist, users cleaned themselves with a sponge attached to a stick, called a tersorium, which was rinsed in a channel of clean running water or in buckets of vinegar water. This may seem unhygienic today, and indeed, scientific studies of mineralized waste from Ephesus revealed the presence of intestinal parasites such as roundworm and whipworm. The findings suggest that poor hand hygiene and food contamination were common problems, even in a sophisticated city like Ephesus, which was once the capital of the Roman Province of Asia.
Despite these sanitary challenges, the Ephesus public latrines were marvels of Roman engineering and civic planning. The waste channels, some up to four meters deep, helped carry refuse away from the city, a remarkable achievement for the time. Access to these facilities required a fee, and patrons enjoyed not just plumbing but also a degree of luxury鈥攐rnate decoration, pleasant conversation, and in some cases, personalized service. Today, visitors can still see the original marble benches and even sit on them (though using them is, of course, discouraged), offering a tangible connection to a very human part of ancient life.
In Roman society, public latrines were a necessity for most citizens, as private toilets were a luxury reserved for the elite. Though modern visitors may find the idea of communal defecation unsettling, such arrangements were not only standard practice but also served as social hubs. Men would gather here to chat, exchange gossip, and even recite poetry or conduct business. Roman poet Martial famously mocked this practice with the verse: 鈥淲hy does Vacerra spend his hours in all the privies, and day-long stoop? He wants a supper, not a poop.鈥� The latrines were warm in winter thanks to an underground steam heating system linked to the baths, and鈥攂elieve it or not鈥攕laves were sometimes sent ahead to warm the marble seats for wealthier patrons.
As modern toilet paper didn鈥檛 exist, users cleaned themselves with a sponge attached to a stick, called a tersorium, which was rinsed in a channel of clean running water or in buckets of vinegar water. This may seem unhygienic today, and indeed, scientific studies of mineralized waste from Ephesus revealed the presence of intestinal parasites such as roundworm and whipworm. The findings suggest that poor hand hygiene and food contamination were common problems, even in a sophisticated city like Ephesus, which was once the capital of the Roman Province of Asia.
Despite these sanitary challenges, the Ephesus public latrines were marvels of Roman engineering and civic planning. The waste channels, some up to four meters deep, helped carry refuse away from the city, a remarkable achievement for the time. Access to these facilities required a fee, and patrons enjoyed not just plumbing but also a degree of luxury鈥攐rnate decoration, pleasant conversation, and in some cases, personalized service. Today, visitors can still see the original marble benches and even sit on them (though using them is, of course, discouraged), offering a tangible connection to a very human part of ancient life.
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Public Roman Latrines on Map
Sight Name: Public Roman Latrines
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ephesus, Turkey (See walking tours in Ephesus)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ephesus, Turkey
Create Your Own Walk in Ephesus
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ephesus is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Ephesus Introduction Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles