this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2024
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Illustrations of history

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Illustration of a Roman latrine. Roman latrines had two purposes, of course - relieving oneself, and social networking! (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 months ago by PugJesus@lemmy.world to c/historyillustrations@lemmy.world
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[–] kamenlady@lemmy.world 27 points 3 months ago (2 children)

You see these sticks with a sponge they are holding or dunkin' in on the left side?

Instead of toilet paper, you may have used a sponge (Latin: tersorium) to wipe. These ancient devices consisted of a stick with a vinegar- or salt water-soaked sponge attached.

They were often shared!

[–] highduc@lemmy.ml 6 points 3 months ago (3 children)

I wonder how/if they didn't get sick from sharing the poop stick.

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Parasite loads found in the end-location of Roman latrines are often... significant.

There's ongoing debate as to whether Roman urban hygeine was better, worse, or net neutral compared to rural (including rural 'barbarian') practices. About the only thing that's agreed is that it was better than non-Roman urban hygeine, which often made sharing a poop stick seem positively sanitiary.

Though, as noted, they were rinsed with water and soaked in either salt water or vinegar (which the Romans knew 'cleaned' better, though they didn't have a strong conception of bacteria or microscopic parasites)

[–] thepreciousboar@lemm.ee 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I wonder how historians find out about this. Do we entirely rely on surviving written records? Or is there any other way to know what a seeningly poop stick was and how hygienic latrines were?

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

There are various written sources, including graffiti and poetry, for the use of the tersorium (poop stick), including one mosaic in an ancient latrine reminding users to "Make use of the tersorium" before leaving.

As for finding out about hygiene, ancient poop, believe it or not, is often an important archeological find because of the details we can get from it. Ain't science grand? There are other matters too, of course - Romans wrote effusively on their bathhouses, many of which survive to this day, as well as poetry admonishing men to groom themselves properly, physician's manuals, finding nit combs, etc etc.

[–] thepreciousboar@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

Thank you! History and archeology really are fascinating

[–] kamenlady@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Caelius: Augustus, wait - you left something there, let me help ya

[–] kamenlady@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I found this.

Academics disagree as to its exact use, about which the primary sources are vague. It has traditionally been assumed to be a type of shared anal hygiene utensil used to wipe after defecating, and the sponge cleaned in vinegar or water (sometimes salt water).Other recent research suggests it was most likely a toilet brush.

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The 'toilet brush' argument remains very much a minority view.

[–] kamenlady@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I very much hope so.

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

Perhaps they were dual purpose.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago

Why would they? Your butt is really well designed for keeping stuff out, it's very hard to get infection or parasites that way (assuming you're not sticking it up there).

[–] umbrella@lemmy.ml 5 points 3 months ago

ew

[–] graham1@lemmy.world 19 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Not a cell phone in sight. Just people living in the moment

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago

They had a rule that no one was allowed to cross the Rubicon with their cell phone.

[–] eran_morad@lemmy.world 18 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Who doesn’t enjoy a good shit with the homies?

[–] mostNONheinous@lemmy.world 13 points 3 months ago (1 children)

You should check out the show PLEBS, it’s about 3 normal dudes trying to survive and date in Ancient Rome and there are a few scenes in the toilet that look exactly like this. Funny damn show too.

[–] HootinNHollerin@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Awesome what’s it on?

[–] mostNONheinous@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago

I watched on prime, as much as I hate it. If for nothing else, watch it for Grumio.

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 10 points 3 months ago

Digital social networks are also for those two things.

[–] Rolando@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Kind of surprised the walls are blank. Expect paintings and/or graffiti.

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago

Depends on how nice the place is. Some were plain and utilitarian, others had marble decor, mosaics, and even fountains (though I sadly can't find any good photos of remains of those).

[–] fox2263@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

Think there was a funny scene in Sparactus about this 😂

[–] p5yk0t1km1r4ge@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Imagine you and seven other people shitting in the same room while talking about the superbowl

[–] Madison420@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Brother, you see those sticks with a sponge on the end those are community poop wipers, you're sharing shit and talking shit ìm it's really quite poetic.

[–] p5yk0t1km1r4ge@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Would you like to shit with me in a cramped room while we make constant eye contact and discuss the folly of man?