Lavatories in Ancient Greece

Abstract

Lavatories can be classified as a characteristic factor of living standard and economic prosperity. Many remains of ancient lavatories have been found in Greece. Some of them are dated even in the Minoan era. Many references about them have been recorded in numerous ancient Greek scripts. Despite that many related archaeological finds are dated in a wide chronological range, the typical mature ancient Greek lavatory was probably formed in the Hellenistic period, which was a period of a great evolution of the ancient Greek water technology. Lavatories are found not only in private houses but also in many public buildings and sanctuaries. The features of the typical ancient lavatory are the bench type seats with the keyhole shaped defecation openings and the ditch underneath them, which is associated with both water supply or flushing conduit and sewer. The lavatory was usually situated in the area of the building most convenient for water supply and sewerage. Later, the mature lavatory's layout was spread out all around the Roman Empire, acquiring more or less monumental appearance.