Prompt Cast
The Truth About Vomitoria in Ancient Rome
TLDR Contrary to popular belief, vomitoria in ancient Rome were not places for purging after eating, but rather passageways in and out of venues like the Colosseum. The concept of vomitoria as purging rooms originated from a misinterpretation and has since been debunked.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
In ancient Rome, it was not normal to go to a vomitorium and purge after eating a lot of food, despite the common misconception.
02:18
In ancient Rome, the term "vomitoria" referred to passageways in and out of places like the Colosseum, not a place to purge after eating.
04:40
There were 76 vomitoria around the Colosseum that could shuttle 50,000 people in and out within 15 minutes.
06:57
Al Jouis Huxley mentioned the concept of a goth coming into a vomitorium in his comic novel Antique Hay, which was the first instance of the term being used in a different way than originally intended.
09:23
Real vomitoriums can be found in places like Vietnam, with some even having pictures of ancient Rome as a nod to the false claim that they originated there.
11:39
In Germany, there are designated puke places, but it's generally considered bad etiquette to vomit in public bathrooms.
13:36
The hosts are ready to move on from discussing vomitoria and encourage listeners to visit their website for more information.
Categories:
Society & Culture
