Intro
The Roman latrine was a community space that allowed people to not only relieve themselves while on the go, but also invited people to connect socially and travel the grounds. The latrine was built by local materials, natural water sources and plumbing. Channels of fresh water run through the city via small pipes, and are then used under the public latrine as a way of washing out all the waste. Due to the fact that these latrines needed to be built on top of a water system, having many toilets near the flushing system would be the most beneficial for construction (Regio I). Public latrines soon became more common in public areas such as forums and large buildings like bath houses. As these latrines started to become more popular users were able to notice differences between latrines.
What we now
Commonly in today’s world we have latrines located inside buildings and have clear signs that indicate where the restroom is and how to get there. In Rome there were no real clear signs to where the public latrine was, it was just the look of this building that would allow people to know that was the space to enter to relieve oneself. The public latrine was commonly located on the outskirts of the building or separate from the building all together. The reason for this being the smell and sanitation. The smell and sanitation issues would spread throughout the building and would not make it enjoyable for anyone to be in. Due to the fact that these latrines were grouped together, the latrine was often built in a circular or rectangular formation (Regio II). This is because of how the pipes were laid out on the floor, and the amount of people in the space. Often larger latines were in circular formation so more people can sit and relieve themselves at the same time.
Lets Talk Shape
As we can see in the Villa Roma de Casale and the Baths of Carcalla there are circular latrines that are located on the outskirts of the plan. These latrines are both circular and held of 8 potential latrines for people to use. The need for these latrines to be large is due to not only the size of the surrounding buildings but the amount of traffic people would bring into the space. Men and women did not care too much about privacy at the time, men and women would often use the same public latrine and close quarters are a given within any public latrine. Majority of the latrines that we see today and in plan however are rectangular. These rectangular latrines are seen in most floor plans provided and are still on the outskirts of the plans.
Lets Talk Shape
Due to the close quarters of the latrines sanitation was a common issue within the public latrines. Not only was it likely that one would be touching another person while using the restroom, but could potentially touch the waste as well as the system wasn’t built to perfection. Oftentimes an additional flush system would be needed, where a local water system would be used in the center to gather water in a pot and pour down the latrine hole that was just used. Hands would be touching this water that was just touching other parts or even waste (Encyclopaedia Britannica)..
Separating Latrines
After analyzing all of the latrines in the floor plans gathered, it seems that about 50% of latrines were built as a detached room, or building, from the main attraction. As we can see, the Villa Rroma del Casale and the Boarim Baths, both have latrines that are still somewhat attached, however are distinctly separated from the other architecture (History.com). The Villa Roma de Casale has a semi-circular latrine that follows a pony wall that lines the entrance. Having a latrine directly off the entrance is not commonly found as we can see from the floor plans. However having a circular latrine was not unheard of and often provides more seating. The Boarim Baths have a latrine built off the side of the northern baths, however it is so far from the main baths that it almost feels separate all together.
Out
The Palatine Roman forum, Colosseum and Roman Forum as well as the Ostia Scavi all have latrines that are built completely separate from the intended facilities. Each of the plans have a rectangular or square shape. (Tulli) An interesting finding was that in forums, latrines were often located centrally within the forum plan for easy circulation and time saving, whereas in other plans with large buildings surrounding, latrines were located on the outskirts.
Central
The Roman Forum in Britannia and the Pompeii Forum and Regio Insula XII are examples of having latrines on the outskirts of the plan whereas the Ostia Scavi Forum, the Palatine Roman Forum and the Colosseum and Roman forum have centrally located latrines (Beni). I believe the latrine location is not only due to the water source location, but the population count and site size of the intended forums.
In
Upon further research, it became apparent that mostly latrines were built separate from the main building, however roman bath houses and some modern villas found a way to incorporate latrines off the side of the building or along the perimeter. The Stabian Baths, the Baths of Caracalla, the Pompeiian Villa, and Via Della Fullonica are all examples of floor plans where latrines were included within the main building design however still on the outskirts of the main building. Either being placed out of common circulation paths, or in the corners of buildings, the latrines never seem to be in anyone’s way, or could cause any major issues (Fogher). The roman baths are known to be an intimate setting where friends would congregate and talk about politics, religion, and love. The more communal spaces have a more relaxed appeal to latrines.
Latrines, Latrines, Latrines
Latrines were also known to be a similar communal space where people could sit and chat to one another or read. By continuing that emotion and feeling within the space it becomes more intimate. As the latrine moves closer to the embodied architecture, sanitation becomes more of a concern, especially with community bathing pools being used consistently. Transfer of disease and waste was a common issue and fear, however as water technology advances throughout the years so do the latrines as they move closer to the heart.
Conclusion
Latrines are just as unique as the space they are built around. The location and size of the latrine all depend on what the space is used for and how many people will be venturing there. Larger forums and villas have a centrally located large latrine that is used by all. Smaller forums and villas have latrines located on the outskirts of the plan so as to keep the space clean and functional, while smaller bath houses and villas would go as far as incorporating the latrin within the intended building. As latrines adapted to each space, that emotion and intention behind the latrine changed, some latrines became so small that only a few people could use it at once, keeping it strictly for business, whereas larger latrines invited more people and more conversation for a more communal waste management. Many of these latrines were built based on the availability of water sources, however with the advancement of water distribution technologies, locations became more flexible.
Sources
Beni. “Baths.” POMPEII, 2002, pompeii-eruption.weebly.com/baths.html.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Baths of Caracalla.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2011, www.britannica.com/topic/Baths-of-Caracalla.
Fogher, Al. “The Thinking Traveller: Exclusive Luxury Villa Holidays.” Thethinkingtraveller.com, www.thethinkingtraveller.com/italy/sicily/archaeological-sites-in-sicily/villa-romana-del-casale.
History.com Editors. “Roman Forum.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 8 Mar. 2018, www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/roman-forum.
Ludwigsburg. “LUDWIGSBURG Town City Stadtplan. Baden-Württemberg. Schloss Karte, 1914 Map.” Antiqua Print Gallery, www.antiquemapsandprints.com/ludwigsburg-town-city-stadtplan-baden-wurttemberg-schloss-karte-1914-map-257529-p.asp.
Regio I. Regio I – Insula XII – Terme Del Foro (I,XII,6), 5 Aug. 2020, www.ostia-antica.org/regio1/12/12-6.htm.
Regio II. Regio II – Insula V – Caserma Dei Vigili (II,V,1-2), 26 July 2020, www.ostia-antica.org/regio2/5/5-1.htm.
Tikkanen, Amy. “Palatine Hill.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/place/Palatine-Hill.
Tulli, Alberto. “Quartieri e Monumenti Di Ostia: i Nuovi Pannelli Didattici Dell’area Archeologica – Pannelli Didattici.” Parco Archeologico Di Ostia Antica, 2018, www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/it/pannelli-didattici/.
Visit Rome. “Baths of Diocletian Rome – Opening Hours, Tickets & Facts.” Visit Colosseum Rome, 28 Sept. 2020, visit-colosseum-rome.com/baths-diocletian/.
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