Sanitation in Ancient Rome

In Ancient Rome, people did not know about germs and how they could make you sick. So, to keep themselves healthy, they had to follow some rules for cleanliness.

Firstly, the Romans believed in public baths, which were big buildings where people could take baths together. They were very popular and most people visited them daily to clean themselves. They were very big and had separate areas for men and women. However, these baths were not just for washing; they were also for socializing and exercising. People would spend hours there, chatting, playing games and enjoying themselves.

Secondly, street cleaners were hired to clean the city every day. They were responsible for making sure that the streets were clean and free of garbage. They would sweep the streets, collect garbage and dump it in nearby garbage pits.

Thirdly, rich people would have their personal toilets inside their homes. However, for people living in apartments, they would use public toilets. These public toilets were called latrines and were large rooms with many holes in the ground. People would sit on them one next to the other without any barriers between them. There were no doors or curtains, so everyone had to do their business in the full view of everyone else.

Lastly, the Romans were very particular about their food and how it was prepared. They would eat fresh food and avoid stale or rotten food. Most of the food they ate was cooked and boiled, which killed most of the bacteria. Also, they would use vinegar or salt to preserve their food for a longer time.

Overall, the sanitation in Ancient Rome was primitive compared to our modern standards, but it was still effective in keeping people relatively healthy. The Romans may not have known about germs, but they knew how to keep themselves clean and avoid getting sick.