Quote:

“In a training academy for gladiators who work with wild beasts, a German slave, while preparing for the morning exhibition, withdrew in order to relieve himself, which was the only thing he was allowed to do in private and without the presence of a guard. While so engaged, he seized the stick of wood tipped with a sponge, devoted to the vilest uses, and stuffed it down his throat. Thus, he blocked up his windpipe and choked the breath from his body… What a brave fellow. He surely deserved to be allowed to choose his fate.”

• Seneca the Younger approximately 62 AD

In 2023 there was this online trend where someone would video tape a male in their life responding to a question about if they’ve thought about the Roman Empire today. In these videos the guy would often go off on a rant that he was currently thinking about Rome and also how great it was. Often they would talk about how they wished they lived in Ancient Rome or that today was as great as Rome was back then.

One of the most graphic example of why I wouldn’t want to live in Ancient Rome involves a thing called a Tersorium, or Xylospongium. This would have a been a familiar device to all but the very richest families in Rome and I truly cannot imagine living in a way where I would have to use one.

As a common Roman you likely would not have had plumbing in your home. If you lived somewhere decent then someone in your family would have had to make daily trips to a well or some other location for your household daily needs. This water would be for things like cooking and cleaning. But if you needed to go to the bathroom you would either go in a bucket, called a chamber pot, or you would have to go to a public bath house.

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