Latrinae et foricae : toilets in the Roman world / Barry Hobson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hobson, Barry.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Toilets--History.

Toilets.

History.

Physical Description:

x, 190 pages : illustrations ; 24cm

Other Title:

Toilets in the Roman world

Place of Publication:

London : Duckworth, 2009.

Summary:

The Romans are renowned for their aqueducts, baths and water systems, achievements equalled in the modern world only over the past few hundred years. Their toilets, both single (latrinae) and multi-seater (foricae) form part of the Roman sanitation system that continues to fascinate the modern visitor to ancient sites today.

In this well illustrated account, Barry Hobson describes toilets in the Roman empire from Ibera to Syria, and from North Africa to Hadrian's Wall. Particular emphasis is given to Pompeii, where many toilers are preserved and where some evidence for change over time can be found. The discussion encompasses not only details of location, construction and decoration of toilets, but also questions of privacy, sewage and rubbish disposal, health issues, references in Latin literature, and graffiti.

Contents:

1 Toilets in the Roman world: an introduction 1

2 Roman Britain 33

3 Pompeii 45

4 Chronology of toilets 61

5 Upstairs toilets 71

6 Privacy 79

7 Rubbish and its disposal 89

8 Dirt, smell and culture 105

9 Water supply, usage and disposal 117

10 Who used these toilets? 133

11 Motions, maladies and medicine 147

12 Who cares about latrines? 155

13 Future research? 165.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780715638507

0715638505

OCLC:

308528786

Publisher Number:

99934825048