Long before the modern toilets we use today, the Ancient Romans had highly advanced public sanitation systems. Known as latrinae, these communal toilets were widely used in the largest cities of the Roman Empire. They typically consisted of marble or stone seating with holes, beneath which a continuous flow of water carried waste into an underground sewer system.
Built to manage waste disposal efficiently in densely populated cities, latrinae were essential for maintaining hygiene at a time when individual plumbing was not available in every home. While public bathhouses ( thermae), theaters, and government buildings often featured these communal restrooms, wealthier households sometimes had private latrines as well. All of these systems were connected to the Cloaca Maxima, a massive drainage and sewer system that directed waste into nearby rivers or out of the city. For Romans, latrinae were not just places for sanitation but also served as social hubs where people gathered to converse, exchange news, and spend time together.
Public latrinae showcased the Romans’ engineering expertise. Some even featured heated seating! Large bathhouses, or thermae, were often equipped with a hypocaustsystem—a form of underfloor heating that circulated hot air beneath the floors. A similar heating method was applied to latrines, where warm air or steam traveled through pipes beneath the seating areas, keeping them comfortable for users. This innovative use of heated water and steam reflects the Romans’ emphasis on comfort and sophisticated living.
Latrinae, along with Roman sewage and water flow systems, laid the groundwork for modern flush toilets. While today's toilets are far more advanced in terms of hygiene, the engineering genius of Ancient Rome remains an enduring source of inspiration.