Queen's hall and bathroom in the Palace of Nestor at Pylos, Greece, 13th century BCE.

Source: The Ambrose Collection, University of Vermont Classics Department.

Terra cotta bathtub in the Palace of Nestor at Pylos, Greece, 13th century BCE.

Source: The Ambrose Collection, University of Vermont Classics Department.

Roman Era public latrines in Corinth, Greece (near Athens). This and the following photo show latrine construction -- water ran in a channel under the seat openings to flush waste away, and an additional channel in front of the seats probably provided users a place to dip brushes (sea sponges on sticks or similar items) in order to clean themselves after using the latrine.

Source: Keith Chapman, Laboratory Program Manager, Willow Lake Treatment Plant, Salem, Oregon.

Roman Era public latrines in Corinth, Greece (near Athens).

Source: Keith Chapman, Laboratory Program Manager, Willow Lake Treatment Plant, Salem, Oregon.

A drain in Pella, an ancient city in Macedonia (Northern Greece) that was home to Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. Approximately 350 BC.

Source: Keith Chapman, Laboratory Program Manager, Willow Lake Treatment Plant, Salem, Oregon.

A sewer in Pella, an ancient city in Macedonia (Northern Greece) that was home to Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. Approximately 350 BC. The foreground appears to show a drain, possibly leading to a cistern.

Source: Keith Chapman, Laboratory Program Manager, Willow Lake Treatment Plant, Salem, Oregon.

Display in Pella, an ancient city in Macedonia (Northern Greece) that was home to Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. Text: "A vast number of drainage and water pipes attests to the great concern shown for the health of the inhabitants. Water was brought from subterranean filaments to the city by means of channels cut into the natural rock. It was distributed to the buildings in the city, where there were fountains, wells and subterranean reservoirs, through clay pipes and large built conduits, with cleaning shafts at regular intervals (a clay jar is reserved in the cross of the streets north and west of the house of Dionysos). The main drainage system consists of large built channels, rectangular in section, placed at the sides of the streets that ran north-south, so the the waste was carried off by the southward slope of the hill to the harbour of Pella. Household waste was carried to these main channels by smaller, built channels of rectangular section."

Source: Keith Chapman, Laboratory Program Manager, Willow Lake Treatment Plant, Salem, Oregon.