5Bathrooms were a public thing

Rome was famous for a multitude of architectural achievements, one of which was their sewer systems. Although ancient Roman civilization found an ingenious way to keep their cities clean, it wasn’t perfect.

Going to the bathroom where your neighbors can watch you do the do is one thing. But, sharing a “toiletry” is another. Not to get too into the weeds with the details, but the way Romans finished their business was reaching over to a water-filled bin where sticks with a sponge at the end were placed. A citizen would take one, clean as needed, and return it to the designated area. At the time, the ancients of Rome didn’t know anything about microbes and their dangers to the human body. In fact, their waste management systems weren’t all that perfect.

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