Ancient Hygiene: The Strigil

This artefact is a metal hygiene tool called a strigil. It would have been used as part of the bathing routine to scrape dirt and oil off of the body after exercising.

Both men and women would have used this tool before or after bathing in the large public baths found all over the Roman Empire. These facilities had rooms with hot, cold and tepid water, as well as saunas and pools. Most baths also had separate sections dividing men and women.

The Romans invented hypocaust heating as well, a system of underground furnaces which heated the floors, walls and the air of the baths.

Authors: Valentina Donato and Georgian Parkes