Health Hazards During the Roman Empire
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It is simply amazing at how the people of ancient civilizations were able to survive. Air, water, food and shelter are considered to be necessary for human life and existence. Without these basic needs, one can not survive. By examining the daily lives of a sampling of ancient Roman citizens, one can conclude that this was a hard time in history and people were exposed to dangers that they were completely unaware of. It has only been through increased knowledge that similar problems do not continue to this day. The basic necessities of air, water, food and shelter created increased health risks to the citizens of the Roman Empire.
The air was dangerous to the Romans during the cooking process. Cooking occurred with an open flame. In the book Household Gods, after Nichole Gunther-Perrin was first transported to Carnuntum, she observes that there are no chimneys which created problems with the evacuation of smoke. This smoke would then be inhaled by those cooking and also by customers of taverns similar to that run by Nichole or Umma. We have all heard of the dangers of inhaling smoke and of its potential health risks.
Although most Romans enjoyed bathing and felt as if it was a healthy pursuit, the people were potentially exposed to several diseases by their fellow bathers creating another environment that made the air dangerous. “Since bathing was thought to be particularly valuable for sick people, communal baths contributed to the spread of communicable diseases” (Hunt et al. 2005, 211). In the book Household Gods, Nichole or Umma was potentially exposed to Tuberculosis while bathing when another woman had a coughing fit and expectorated some flecks of blood. Just as Nichole stated in the book, what better a place for bacteria and disease to grow than in the warm, moist environment of the public baths.
The air was also filled with the stench of raw sewage that had been flung from windows of the residences. Although this was not a danger in itself, it eludes to the dangers that are associated with it. Raw sewage typically contains bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that can cause a variety of illnesses, from mild gastroenteritis (stomach cramps and diarrhea) to life-threatening illnesses such as cholera, dysentery and infectious hepatitis.
We now have a good understanding of air pollutants and their effects upon humans. We have learned that extended exposure to smoke increases our carbon monoxide and arsenic levels. Both of these conditions can have negative impacts on humans.
Water was another source of disease for the Roman citizens. The sewage that was discarded had the potential of leaching into the water supply used by the people. Umma and her children were exposed to some sort of virus or bacteria resulting in their getting gastroenteritis after drinking water instead of wine. When a wine shortage emerged, Umma remembered that in her modern life as Nichole, she could boil the water to kill off any pathogens that existed.
The public baths created an exceptionally high risk to the Roman citizens. “The Romans did not have disinfectant and, while the evidence is scanty, it is likely that the bathing pools (which did not have circulating water) were only periodically emptied and cleaned” (Gigante, Linda,
This water supply was also used to bathe in by the citizens in the public baths. Not only was the water supply tainted by raw sewage, it also contained high concentrations of lead. Lead pipes were used to transport the water and was thought by some to have contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire. John Wilford published information that the Roman Empires fall was linked with gout and lead poisoning (Wilford, John, New York Times on-line).
A larger risk of lead poisoning stemmed from lining cups and cooking pots with lead. By eating and drinking from these portals, lead levels found in the blood of the Roman populace were sure to have been increased well above what would be considered safe levels. In fact, Romans “appear to have ingested enormous quantities of lead, much of it in their wine, which was treated with a sweetener prepared in lead-containing vessels” (Harvard Health Letter,
Still another exposure to high concentrations of lead was found in the cosmetics of the day. Roman women made a white cream or powder which they applied to their faces to give themselves a pale complexion which signified that a woman was rich enough not to have to work outdoors. Umma had applied a similar powder and Julia, Ummas slave commented “Theres nothing like a nice coating of white lead to keep people from guessing you arent right underneath it” (Tarr and Turtledove1999,118).
Water is another area where we currently have significant knowledge. We now know that water is easily contaminated and these contaminants can cause significant illness. Nearly every community in the world is now treating their water in one way or another. It is typically being boiled or chemically treated to decrease the amount of pathogens contained within it.
Lead poisoning has only recently come into our understanding of its dangers. Historians have gone back and attributed some of the causes of death and medical problems in the Roman era to lead poisoning. Lead poisoning causes neurological symptoms which can manifest as irritability, anorexia, vomiting, clumsiness, and difficulty walking.
The food supplies were at risk due to there being no refrigeration and stored and sold in open public markets. Umma went to the butchers stand in Carnuntums public market and describes a bloody scene. She noticed that all the meat lay out in the open with flies crawling about. Flies and insects are known for transporting germs and diseases.
Kitchen cleanliness was sure to contribute to the spread of disease. Food was served on plates that were only rinsed with water as soap was unavailable. Umma and Julia both cooked for the tavern. Neither of them washed their hands prior to preparing meals nor after using their chamber pots.
The Romans diet was not well rounded like ours is today. The staple of their diet was wheat, grains, some vegetables, olive oil and occasionally fish (Roma,
There is much discussion today as to what constitutes a well balanced diet. Public schools are now teaching our youth the advantages and healthfulness of eating a well balanced diet. The schools are offering nutritious