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Toilets through time: Roman latrines

Toilets through time: Roman latrines

David Musgrove pays a visit to the revolting world of Roman toilets, in the company of Dr Hannah Platts

Dr David Musgrove, FSA

Published: November 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM

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What was it like to do your business in a Roman communal toilet? In the first episode of our mini-series, Toilets Through Time, David Musgrove begins his journey through the bathrooms of British history in the Roman era, with historian Dr Hannah Platts. They discuss dubious ancient ablutions, the confronting experience of sitting alongside your neighbours on the toilet, and why one gladiator reportedly stuck a toilet sponge down his own throat.

Authors

Dr David Musgrove, FSAContent director

David Musgrove is the content director at HistoryExtra

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