Latrinae: Roman Toilets in the Northwestern Provinces of the Roman Empire' presents examples of Roman toilets from a wide area in northwestern Europe comprising Austria, Belgium, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands. Seven papers consider 'typically Roman' stone channel toilets, while five papers discuss the actually much more common wooden toilets of the cesspit type. Some studies concentrate on a single installation, others present a number of installations in their architectural surroundings. In addition, Roman chamber pots, which could be used either solo or in a toilet chair, are presented in two papers. A further paper on stercus, usually connected to latrine duty in the Roman army, questions this interpretation and offers a different meaning of the word. This book is the first collection on Roman toilets of the northwestern provinces, and gives a good overview of the possibilities for human waste removal in Roman times. The volume provides a fascinating introduction to this under-researched group of Roman installations.

About the Author
Stefanie Hoss is a post-excavation small finds specialist at Small Finds Archaeology in the Netherlands who also teaches at the University of Cologne. Her interest in toilets is connected to her first PhD on the culture of Roman bathing and the baths and thermae in Palestine (Cologne, 2002). In 2014, she earned a second PhD on Roman military belts at Leiden University. Apart from toilets and the alliterative Roman baths and belts, her research interests include Roman small finds, Roman food and dining habits and the wondrous ways of Roman refuse.

Reviews

'Concluding, the current book is a valuable contribution, adding to a less researched aspect of life in the Roman Northwestern provinces. Also worth mentioning is the fact that all articles have images, plans, maps, reconstructions, pictures and drawings of the complexes and artefacts, which makes them very easy to use and reference. Focusing on a niched matter, all information available in the volume, as well as the general picture it offers, are welcomed contributions, with the potential of being relevant in future researches.' - Rada Varga (2020): Studia Antiqua et Aarchaeologica 25/1

Book Information
ISBN 9781784917258
Author Stefanie Hoss
Format Paperback
Page Count 154
Imprint Archaeopress Archaeology
Publisher Archaeopress
Weight(grams) 595g
Dimensions(mm) 290mm * 205mm * 10mm