Roman Medicine - Public Health

L A I R A L A M D L W S L E R
N A S W A M P S B H S I L C O
S R Q H C X E A Z H C R W N M
T R E U M A D D T Y L B T E A
M C O L E W U A R C E E O U N
M N S T A D B S H O A F O Q A
B K H T C C U C E U N R W E R
S T E L I O T C I L B U P S M
S R S L C R D R T J B S X N Y
O E B T I C V K Y S R K S O Z
R U H A I L R B E A D H K C S
P F D S E P R E V E N T I O N
W A Z N R D O T D S R Y K V Z
B D Y H P A Q T G U Z G H D X
I F T G G T M F V B G J P Z Y

AQUEDUCTS
BAD AIR
1. Find the words we will use today – time 5 mins.
BAD WATER
CAUSE
2. Towards the end of the lesson choose 4 words and
CLEAN
CONSEQUENCE write a sentence or two that uses these words and
FEBRIS explains an aspect of Roman Medicine. You must
GREEK DOCTORS underline them.
MALARIA
MARSHES
PREVENTION
PUBLIC BATHS
PUBLIC TOILETS
ROMAN ARMY
SWAMPS

The Romans believed it was important to build their settlements - their cities, villas, villages and
army forts - in healthy places near good springs, rivers or wells. They built conduits (channels) to
bring water into their settlements. When the water had to go over hills and valleys the Romans built
the conduits (channels) on top of arches. These looked like bridges and were called aqueducts. They
were so well built that a number are still standing today 1700 or more years later.

Besides clean drinking water, the Romans the Romans also believed in the importance of personal
cleanliness. They set about making daily bathing a possibility for all citizens. Wherever the Romans
settled, they built public baths.

The Roman interest in public health also led to them building latrines (Toilets). They used water to
flush away the waste products. Rome had huge sewers which emptied into the River Tiber. Romans
took their drinking water from other rivers and springs. The building of sewers stopped germs
infecting drinking water. The Romans were able to provide these facilities because they were well
organised, could enforce peace, could raise money through taxation and could use slaves as a cheap
labour force.
Task: Use these notes to create a booklet on Roman Public Health