For ancient Romans, pooping was a group activity

Imagine answering the call of nature in a dark, stinking chamber alongside dozens of strangers, all while making pleasant conversation. When it’s time to wipe, perhaps you reach for a communal sponge on a stick, hoping that the person before you rinsed it well. You’re also hoping that the hole you’re sitting over won’t suddenly release rats, or flames. This might sound like some kind of punishment or endurance challenge today, but in Ancient Rome this was just a stan