Inside Roman forts in Britain, communal latrines were built with stone benches lined with keyhole-shaped openings. Beneath them ran a constant flow of water to carry waste away, often connected to larger drainage systems. Many forts along Hadrian’s Wall included these facilities, showing how standardized Roman engineering was, even in remote provinces.There were no partitions. Using the latrine was a social activity. Instead of toilet paper, Romans used a shared sponge on a stick, called a tersorium, rinsed in running water between uses.Roman military forts housed anywhere from 500 to 1,000 soldiers, and maintaining hygiene was crucial to preventing disease in close quarters. Added fact: Rome’s sewer system, including the famous Cloaca Maxima, dates back to at least the 6th century BC.
