{"id":4067,"date":"2023-03-31T01:09:46","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T00:09:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=4067"},"modified":"2023-03-31T01:09:46","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T00:09:46","slug":"how-bad-did-ancient-rome-smell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/how-bad-did-ancient-rome-smell\/","title":{"rendered":"How bad did ancient rome smell?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The ancient city of Rome was notorious for its poor hygiene and, as a result, its bad smell. The streets were filled with garbage and human waste, and the air was often thick with the stench of sewage and rotting food. Even the wealthy residents of Rome were not immune to the city’s foul odor, as their homes were often located close to the city’s garbage dumps.<\/p>\n

There is no definitive answer to this question as the level of cleanliness in ancient Rome would have varied greatly depending on the wealth and status of the individual. However, it is safe to say that the ancient city would have had a strong and pungent smell due to the open sewer system that ran through the streets, the lack of personal hygiene among the lower classes, and the lack of garbage disposal services.<\/p>\n

What was body odor in ancient Rome? <\/h2>\n

It is clear from Roman texts that foul body odor was considered to be goaty and undesirable. Roman citizens took pride in their appearance and saw their cleanliness as a mark of superiority over other civilizations. This is an interesting perspective on hygiene and one that is worth considering in our own lives.<\/p>\n

Roman citizens came to expect high standards of hygiene, and the army was also well provided with latrines and bath houses, or thermae. Aqueducts were used everywhere in the empire not just to supply drinking water for private houses but to supply other needs such as irrigation, public fountains, and thermae.<\/p>\n

Did Romans use deodorant <\/h3>\n
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It is interesting to note that the ancient Romans used a mixture of charcoal and goat fat as deodorant. This was likely due to the fact that these substances work to disinfect and deodorize the skin. In the 19th century, lime solutions or potassium permanganate were used for similar purposes. The first commercial deodorant was patented by Edna Murphey in Philadelphia, PA, USA, in 1888. This product was likely much more effective than the previous methods of deodorization.<\/p>\n

Hygiene in ancient Rome was very important and included public baths, toilets, exfoliating cleansers, and public facilities. There was a communal toilet sponge (ancient Roman Charmin®) that was used to clean up after using the toilet. The standards of cleanliness were generally very high.<\/p>\n

Did Romans have private baths? <\/h2>\n

In many contemporary cultures, bathing is seen as a very private activity that is conducted in the home. However, in Rome, bathing was a communal activity. While the extremely wealthy could afford bathing facilities in their homes, private baths were very uncommon, and most people bathed in the communal baths (thermae). This was a place where people could socialize, relax, and cleanse themselves. It was an important part of Roman culture and society.<\/p>\n

The Romans were known for their meticulous grooming habits and this included shaving. They would use a pumice stone to rub off any stubble and then a novacila to remove the hair. Afterward, they would use perfumes and oils to soften the skin. If you were an elite member of society, you would have a personal barber visit your household. Body hair (and the removal of it) became a status symbol.<\/p>\n

Did Romans shower every day? <\/h2>\n
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At the end of the 3rd century BC, the custom of bathing was introduced to Italy from Greece. Early Romans washed their arms and legs every day, which were dirty from working. However, they only washed their whole bodies every nine days.<\/p>\n

The ancient Romans were known for their dental hygiene practices. They used frayed sticks and abrasive powders to brush their teeth, and these powders were made from ground-up hooves, pumice, eggshells, seashells, and ashes. This helped to keep their teeth clean and healthy.<\/p>\n

What did Roman soldiers use for toilet paper <\/h3>\n

The tersorium is a fascinating ancient Roman tool that was used for personal hygiene. It is essentially a toilet brush made from a natural sponge attached to the end of a stick. This allowed for a deep clean of the body that is not possible with modern toilet paper alone. The tersorium is a reminder of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the ancient Roman people.<\/p>\n

This sculpture, from the city of Trier in Germany, dates to around 200 AD and shows a beautiful Roman woman, known as a mistress, being waited on by her servants. The mistress is clearly the centre of attention, with her servants carrying out her every wish. The sculpture would have been placed in a wealthy home, as a status symbol of the family’s wealth and power.