Abstract
This introductory chapter presents an overview of the nature of the existing archaeological evidence for Roman toilets, including various sizes, types, locations for these facilities, their builders, and their client users. It suggests a number of important points for future water research that directly affects this study and future studies of ancient urban infrastructures outside of Roman Italy. The quality of the archaeological remains examined here leads to a much needed step toward an appreciation for the engineering of Roman sewer networks, toilets, and Roman beliefs about hygiene. In order to shed light on the realities of Roman sanitation, one must look at the dark and unsightly places and shatter some age-old illusions along the way.