The idea that ancient Romans had vomitoriums for overeating is a myth; they were actually passageways for crowds. The term “vomitorium” was first used in a fifth-century work, and was later misused by Aldous Huxley. Other interesting facts about Ancient Rome include paying to use public urinals and lefties being demonized.
Of all the ludicrous notions promulgated about ancient Rome, one of the most heartbreaking is that the wealthy stuffed themselves so much that they built vomitoriums in which they could vomit, sometimes en masse, before eating more. The truth is far less sickening: the vomitoria were simply passageways through which crowds could quickly find their way out of theaters or stadiums after a performance.
The first known use of the term “vomitorium” is found in Saturnalia, a fifth-century work by Macrobius Theodosius, a Roman who decided to write down as much as he could of conversations held at the home of a wealthy aristocrat. In the work, Theodosius mentions vomitoria (or, more accurately, vomitoria) as places through which spectators could “vomit”.
While the word itself suggests that the meaning has been misunderstood, most historians think it was first misused by science fiction author Aldous Huxley, who employed it in his graphic novel, Antic Hay. It has since been borrowed from everyone from dailies to a popular Saturday Night Live sketch.
When in Ancient Rome:
Commoners in ancient Rome often had to pay to use public urinals, and their urine was collected for use in several chemical applications.
Lefties were often demonized in ancient Rome, being seen as sinful or untrustworthy; wedding rings were worn on the left hand to ward off all evil.
Most people in ancient Rome did indeed wear tunics and togas; most robes were white, but senators and emperors were permitted to wear purple ones.
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