The brothel and public latrine of ancient Ephesus are located directly across Marble Street from the Library of Celsus. Both date from the 1st century AD. Of course neither of these are a sacred site, but these less glamorous structures help bring ancient Ephesus to life.
Brothel
The brothel originally had two floors, with ground floor entrances on both Marble Street and on Curetes Street. On the latter, an etched footprint in the marble famously shows the way.
The rooms of the ground floor, one of which has a stone bed, were built around a small atrium. The floor of the main reception room was covered with a mosaic of the four seasons. The personified figures of Winter (with head covered) and Autumn (with a garland of flowers) are still well preserved. The cubicles used by the prostitutes to entertain their clients were on the upper floor.
The ithyphallic figurine of Priapus – Bes, now in the Ephesus Museum, was found in a well on the side of the brothel near Curetes Street. The well is still in use. Of Egyptian origin, Bes was not the god of the brothel, but the protector of everything associated with motherhood and childbearing.
Latrine
The 1st-century Roman Latrine of Ephesus was rather advanced and civilized for its time. It was constructed over a channel with an uninterrupted flow of water and the toilet seats, formed by cutting holes into marble benches that line the walls, were covered by a roof.
The rest of the large room was open to the sky, and had an impluvium (a sunken pool for catching rainwater) in the center. The floor was covered with mosaics.
The Latrines are interesting a communal and social activity, complete with running water for both moving waste along. Latrines used by both women and men.
Ancient brothel in Ephesus. There is an underground tunnel here that goes across the street leading to the library.
Interesting glimpse of ancient life. Go in, sit down and imagine you and your friends hanging out at the latrine.
The big question is … what did they use for toilet paper? The answer most often given is … a sponge. But as I stood and looked at these rows of benches with holes all in a row close together, I was just grateful that Sir Thomas Crapper invented the Water Closet, and gave me some privacy!
Yeah where else would a public latrine make a destination. This is a part of Ephesus but this latrine is noteworthy. See the pictures. You will see this on your Ephesus visit.
It shows how life was,where the toilets are side by side,no privacy in those days,maybe it was a place for men to talk business while doing their business,included in the entrance fee also
It's incredible to think of how many people shared this toilet room. Before newspapers what did they do? Well a band would entertain on the stage in the toilet to drown out unwanted sounds.
It was amazing to me that these were some of the best preserved ruins within the ancient city.
This was probably one of the things that most amazed me in this city…and has been very well preserved. It is an actual public bathroom, not unlike much of what you will find in most first world countries around the globe. And it shows that we are not nearly as civilized as we think.
A wonderful way to see how day to day life ran in the city, it really grounds the tourist.
Makes you appreciate modern facilities and privacy. Very well preserved and with a little imagination, you could picture how it was used. It is just a row of holes on a marble platform. Fresh water trough in front that was used for cleansing once done using the restroom.
People are too uptight these days. This Roman latrine, or public toilet sat people side by side whilst they did their business.
Imagine sitting with your mates, with your toga lifted up, discussing the chariot racing or who was going to get stoned in the arena later. Sounds civilised to me.
You can still admire the drainage system and look.!