Roman Toilet Hygiene
Toilet paper wasn’t a Roman invention—but communal sponges were.
Panini — "Ancient Rome" (1757), public domain
The Tersorium: Sponge On A Stick
Roman public toilets were elaborate—long marble benches with keyhole seats. Everyone shared the same cleaning tool: a damp sea sponge, rinsed in vinegar or water, and passed on.
Germ Sharing, Ancient-Style
Some writers, like Seneca, complained about the hygiene of communal sponges. Modern archaeologists have found latrines still stained and holding mineralized sponge remnants—a rare look at Rome’s squeamish side.
In public latrines, Romans cleaned themselves with a sea sponge attached to a stick, called a tersorium. After use, the sponge was rinsed in a channel of water and reused. This system led to more than a few stomach-churning moments, according to ancient commentators.
