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This is a very nice video from Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow on ancient Roman sanitation. Professor Koloski-Ostrow, the self-described "Queen of Latrines," shares her years in archaeological research in the subject on the video. I wrote a review of Professor Koloski-Ostrow's excellent book "The Archaeology of Sanitation in Roman Italy" a few years back: https://www.unrv.com/book-review/archaeology-of-sanitation.php Here's a wonderful new review the professor's excellent work: Summary: Here's a nice article describing the dangers of these public toilets: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/01/roman-toilets-may-actually-have-been-bad-public-health guy also known as guy

Interesting point, but the Romans did like perfume as well as incense They understood, however, the benefits of good hygiene. Maybe they were inured to pungent odors? They did use urine (for its ammonia content) to clean and soften clothes. They also prized the foul-smelling garum (a pungent fermented fish sauce) as a delicious condiment. Using public latrines might desensitize one to odors, including the communal sponge for cleaning. I agree, however, that the ancients didn't seem to complain about the surrounding smells, only bad breath or body odor. Here's a scholarly article "Stop and Smell the Romans: Odor in Roman Literature" by Kate Allen: https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/116729/ktallen_1.pdf?sequence=1

This is a story I originally missed but I was reminded of during one of my morning walks. After a rain storm, the sweet and fragrant herbal smells are calming and delightful: A well-preserved substance found in a 2,700-year-old temple in Tel Arad has been identified as cannabis, including its psychoactive compound THC. Researchers concluded that cannabis may have been burned in order to induce a high among worshippers. This is the first evidence of psychotropic drugs being used in early Jewish worship, Israeli media report. Cannabis residue was found on an altar at the temple in Arad https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52847175 Summary: The presence of cannabis at an alter doesn't mean it was used for its hallucinogen effect. Hemp, a variety of cannabis, also has THC. Industrial hemp is used for its fibers but will not have enough THC to have an intoxicating effect. Hemp fibers can be used for many purposes: paper, clothing, rope, etc. It is doubtful that there would be enough marijuana to have an intoxicating effect, anyway. At least, it would mask the putrid smells that filled an ancient city: animal sacrifices, human and animal excrement, body odors, etc.

Thank you, again, for reading my response. Below is an excellent lecture on medicine in ancient Rome. It deals at the 21:00 mark exceptionally well with medicines used in ancient Rome: various herbs and minerals, including clay from the Greek island of Lemnos (to treat dysentery), ginger (to treat nausea), iron dissolved in wine (to treat anemia), ephedra (to treat a cold, asthma, hay fever), myrrh (to treat infection), aloe vera (for skin conditions and burns), and cinnamic acid from cinnamon oil and other plants (to treat infections), castoreum from beaver secretions (see below), etc. Recommend highly: guy also known as gaius https://seanmowbray.com/2019/09/18/rome-and-the-age-of-the-self-castrating-beaver/

What a marvelous plan. I wonder what the interior (and the exterior) of the Pantheon looked like at the time of Hadrian. Do we even know? I assume there were religious ceremonies, possible sacrifices to the gods. I can only wonder what sculptures of the gods and deified emperors existed inside. What other riches were found in the interior? The interior and exterior colors were certainly vibrant and not marble white. Good luck with your continued project. guy also known as gaius

Thank you for reading my post. As you know, we cannot underestimate the influence and impact of Greek culture on ancient Rome. The practice of medicine was no exception. Galen, the famous and prolific physician in ancient Rome, was of Greek descent. The cult of Asclepius was still popular in the Roman Empire around 150 AD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galen Similar to today, physical challenges and illness can be devastating. In an ancient world where orthopedic interventions were crude, medical treatments not effective, and pain relief was unreliable, people would have been desperate in their search for relief. Also, the number and extent of permanent disabilities of former legionnaires would have been unimaginable. It would be little surprise that the cult of Asclepius would be popular in Ancient Rome. The Romans, being a practical people, would have adjusted their construction and buildings to meet the overwhelming needs of those who were physically challenged, especially those veterans who were injured in service to the Empire.

Disability is a fact of life throughout history. Asclepeions were healing temples in the ancient world. They were dedicated to the Asclepius, the Greek healing god of medicine. Walking up the temple steps must have been a difficult task for many. I never considered ramps to help the physically challenged. https://www.world-archaeology.com/features/accessibility-at-ancient-greek-sanctuaries/ The academic article on the research: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/architecture-of-access-ramps-at-ancient-greek-healing-sanctuaries/3C28B200442E222601E3034170F275A6 Summary: I never thought about this aspect of ancient life. Despite personally having numerous hip and knee surgeries, I never considered the unique challenges of those with disabilities would have in the ancient world. It is not surprising, however, to see that there were accommodations for those with physical challenges at least at the healing temples of Asclepius. guy also known as gaius

A great podcast lecture about the Justinian plague: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000rc43 guy also known as gaius (Thank you Dr. Tom for bring this to my attention) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_of_Justinian

Interesting find: https://www.livescience.com/christ-born-of-mary-church-artifact.html

Here's a great quiz to guess the divinity on the reverse of twenty ancient Roman coins: http://www.roth37.it/COINS/Sfinge/rovesci/rovesci.html I want to thank Ocatarinetabellatchitchix, from cointalk.com for this excellent link guy also known as gaius

A better article on the find: The post has a nice video, also: http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/beit-nattif-oil-lamp-workshop-09214.html

Another interesting find: https://www.thenationalherald.com/culture/arthro/roman_era_shipwreck_found_in_the_sea_off_the_greek_island_of_kassos_photos-1607629/ https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/01/20/ancient-roman-shipwreck-kassos/ guy also known as gaius

Good to see that things are slowly starting to open up. In this case, the site of emperor Tiberius' palace on the Palantine Hill will reopen after 40 years. https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-to-reopen-domus-tiberiana-imperial-palace-on-palatine-hill.html http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/italy/2021/01/13/archaeology-domus-tiberiana-to-reopen-after-40-years_c1bc5bd6-4bd3-4e88-8c4b-a264a706ef95.html Interestingly, this structure is probably not Tiberius' palace. http://archive1.village.virginia.edu/spw4s/RomanForum/GoogleEarth/AK_GE/AK_HTML/HP-005.html Summary: Despite the lockdowns, it is good to see that renovations and excavations continue. guy also known as gaius

Another great but poignant find of a young child and a pet. This one was from first century AD Roman Gaul. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/15/2000-year-old-remains-of-infant-and-pet-dog-uncovered-in-france Summary: This was a very poignant find. Hopefully many new secrets of ancient Rome will be uncovered soon. guy also known as gaius

An interesting find in Turkey during routine excavation of a wall: https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/onlooker-notices-roman-era-stele-at-construction-site-in-northwest-turkey/news Summary: This is an interesting upright stone slab bearing an inscription (stele) accidently unearthed during routine excavation. guy also known as gaius

Many ancient Roman concrete structures persist to this day. The amazing strength and durability of many ancient Roman structures, especially those submerged in water, has amazed researchers. Many believe that it is the chemical reaction between seawater with a mixture of volcanic ash and quicklime that creates a highly resistant mineral known as aluminous toberormorite. Recently, a nuclear plant in Japan was decommissioned. Surprisingly, researchers found aluminous tobermorite in the walls of the nuclear powerplant, helping to explain the walls’ unexpected increased strength. https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/29056/20210112/roman-concrete-found-japanese-nuclear-power-plant-stands-test-time.htm Summary: This is another example of modern technology giving new insight into many aspects of life in ancient Rome. guy also known as gaius

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/01/pompeiis-alexander-great-mosaic-set-to.html Some background information on the mosaic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Mosaic Summary: It will be interesting to see the final repairs. guy also known as gaius

The famous pink beaches in Budelli, Italy (in Northern Sardinia) are beautiful ... but no one can visit. It's sole resident now might be evicted. There is only one person living on the island, the elderly Mauro Morandi. He is a modern Robinson Crusoe. It looks like he's being asked soon to leave, however. (See video below) https://www.benvenutolimos.com/blog/pink-beach-italy-whose-anyway/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budelli guy also known as gaius (i want to thank Lapham's Quarterly for bringing this island to my attention in an unrelated article.)

An interesting find in Turkey: The 38 cm (almost 15 inch) statue of Asclepius. A little background: Bust of Zeus-Serapis https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/27/statue-greek-deities-turkish-media/#:~:text=Discovered Zeus-Serapis bust.,restorers on the excavation team. Kibyra is in modern day southwest Turkey, located in Burdur province: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/significant-roman-era-artifacts-found-in-kibyra-160306 Summary: The cult of Asclepius was widespread. This is another great find in a less known ancient Roman city. guy also known as gaius

Stunning images when only the rare worker is around: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/2021/01/08/rome-colosseum-tourists-covid/ guy also known as gaius

This is from a gravestone from the Getty Villa in California:

See post below.

Thank you for reading my post: Professor Tom remarked on this grave monument: I wondered what the "STL" inscription meant. Thank you, Dr. Tom.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/hagia-sophia-roman-constantinople-istanbul-archaeology-b1782059.html Summary: The sculpture found in Ancient Rome were brilliantly painted. The cathedral's glistening white marble would have been a spectacular contrast. Hopefully, further research will continue.

I asked for an assessment of the monument from Dr. Tom Scanlon, Professor Emeritus of Classics (posted with his permission): Thanks, again, Dr. Tom.