After the middle of the 1st century BCE, a systematic building program was initiated in Athens, aiming for the embellishment of the city. It included the construction of public buildings of an administrative, cultural and religious nature in order to revive the classical grandeur, as well as many public works to meet the daily needs of the citizens. During this period, the functional character of the Ancient Agora, which was transformed into a place of culture and religious worship, substantially changed, resulting in the establishment of a new Agora to serve commercial activities, the so-called Roman Agora or the Agora of Caesar and Augustus.
On the eastern side of the Roman Agora, in what was considered the predominantly public space of the city, the construction of public latrines (Vespasianae) to provide public hygiene services was deemed necessary. Today, remains of the building dating back to the middle of the 1st century CE are preserved. The construction has a rectangular plan and consists of an elongated vestibule and a square hall with benches on all four sides. The bench-seats had holes leading to a channel with a continuous flow of water from springs of the Acropolis, facilitating the disposal of waste into the drainage system. The roof of the building was open in the centre, in the form of an atrium, for lighting and ventilation. The Vespasianae of the Agora could accommodate up to 64 individuals.
Public latrines were a common feature of urban life in the cities of the Greco-Roman world. The construction of such facilities as part of city infrastructure aimed to enhance public hygiene, upgraded daily activities, met daily needs and served the public interest. They were strategically located next to significant public spaces, such as markets that attracted numerous visitors. At the same time, beyond their primary function of addressing physical needs, they also functioned as social hubs, a place for socialising and discussion. They are known as Vespasianae after the Emperor Titus Flavius Vespasianus (9-79 CE) who, according to ancient sources, imposed a fee for citizens to use the public latrines in an effort to bolster the empire’s finances.
