In the heart of ancient Rome, a marvel of engineering was taking place that would set the standard for urban planning and public health. The Romans constructed sophisticated public latrines that were directly hooked up to one of the world's earliest sewage systems. These weren't just isolated facilities but were part of a broader infrastructure that included aqueducts and sewer systems such as the famous Cloaca Maxima. This ancient sewer, whose name literally means "Greatest Sewer," was original