It probably sucked to be a Roman soldier guarding Hadrian’s Wall circa the third century CE. W.H. Auden imagined the likely harsh conditions in his poem “Roman Wall Blues,” in which a soldier laments enduring wet wind and rain with “lice in my tunic and a cold in my nose.” We can now add chronic nausea and bouts of diarrhea to his list of likely woes, thanks to parasitic infections, according to a new paper published in the journal Parasitology.
As previously reported, archaeologists can learn a great deal by studying the remains of intestinal parasites in ancient feces. For instance, in 2022, we reported on an analysis of soil samples collected from a stone toilet found within the ruins of a swanky 7th-century BCE villa just outside Jerusalem. That analysis revealed the presence of parasitic eggs from four different species: whipworm, beef/pork tapeworm, roundworm, and pinworm. (It’s the earliest record of roundworm and pinworm in ancient Israel.)
Later that same year, researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of British Columbia analyzed the residue on an ancient Roman ceramic pot excavated at the site of a 5th-century CE Roman villa at Gerace, a rural district in Sicily. They identified the eggs of intestinal parasitic worms commonly found in feces—strong evidence that the 1,500-year-old pot in question was most likely used as a chamber pot.
This is a fascinating glimpse into the challenges faced by Roman soldiers at Hadrian’s Wall. It’s interesting to consider how conditions like parasites could impact their daily lives and duties. Thank you for sharing this intriguing piece of history!
Indeed, the conditions must have been quite harsh! It’s interesting to consider how these challenges might have affected their morale and overall effectiveness as guards. The presence of parasites could have impacted their health and readiness for battle, adding another layer to their difficult lives.
Absolutely, the harsh conditions certainly took a toll on the soldiers’ morale and health. It’s fascinating to think about how these experiences might have influenced Roman military strategies and fortifications over time. The presence of parasites could have led to innovations in hygiene or supply management as well.