Ostia Antica in Cittΰ metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Latium, Rome, Italy — Central Italy (Tyrrhenian Coast)
Latrine Presso le Terme del Foro
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Toilets near the Baths of the Forum
(Reg. 1, Is. XII, 1)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
1. Latrine Presso le Terme del Foro / Toilets near the Baths of the Forum Marker
Questa latrina, tra le meglio conservate di Ostia, fu ricavata all'interno di due botteghe di etΰ adrianea (117-138 d.C.). L'aspetto attuale risale al IV secolo d.C., come emerge dalla presenza di lastre marmoree di reimpiego, alcune delle quali iscritte, provenienti da edifici precedenti dismessi. Conserva su tre lati una fila di venti sedili in marmo con foro centrale, al di sotto dei quali correva un canale per lo scolo delle acque. Sul quarto lato l'ambiente era dotato di una vaschetta per abluzioni, addossata a un pilastro che separava i due ingressi: questi ultimi erano dotati di porte girevoli, come indica la posizione dei fori per gli incassi nelle soglie marmoree.
The latrine, one of the best preserved in Ostia, was built inside two shops of the Hadrianic period (AD 117-138). Its current appearance dates to the 4th century AD, as is evident from the presence of reused marble slabs, including some with inscriptions, from earlier abandoned buildings. It preserves a row of twenty marble seats with holes at the centre running around three sides; beneath was a channel along which the water drained away. On the fourth side, the room had a wash basin set against a pillar separating the two entrances: these had revolving doors, as we know from the presence of holes in the marble thresholds that served to hold them
this page online
Erected by Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture. In addition, it is included in the If You've Got to Go... series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 117 CE.
Location. 41° 45.238′ N, 12° 17.349′ E. Marker is in Ostia Antica, Lazio (Latium, Rome), in Cittΰ metropolitana di Roma Capitale. It is on Viale degli Scavi. The marker is next to the toilets in the Baths of the Forum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ostia Antica, Lazio 00119, Italy. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, the Schengen Area, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire and specifically also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Terme del Foro / Baths of the Forum (a few steps from this marker); L'Area Centrale e i Complessi di Rappresentanza / The Central Area and the Official Complexes (within shouting distance of this marker); Tempio di Roma e Augusto / Temple of Rome and Augustus (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named L'Area Centrale e i Complessi di Rappresentanza / The Central Area and the Official Complexes (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Terme del Foro / Baths of the Forum (within shouting distance of this marker); Ninfeo degli Eroti / Nymphaeum of the Erotes
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
2. Ancient toilets at Ostia
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
3. Latrine Presso le Terme del Foro / Toilets Near the Baths of the Forum Marker
Close-up of the rendering on the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
