the ancient Romans are widely admired for what appears to be an enormous commitment to hygiene and public health. We know they built vast sewer systems, such as the masterful Cloaca Maxima in Rome.

The Vatican necropolis is situated outside Rome’s urban center. For safety and hygiene purposes, ancient Roman laws dictated that no cremations or burials were allowed within city limits.

The comb shows a rare insight into the personal health issues facing the members of the Roman army of occupation in Scotland and the care they took of their health and hygiene. Life in communal ...