The ancient Roman Empire had public bathrooms installed, called foricae. Civilisation at that time was not embarrassed about fulfilling their bodily needs. The need to excrete was seen as an opportunity to socialise in the public bathrooms/communal baths. Increase in privacy concern led to more private latrines, which led to the slow change in the thinking of society. The act of defecation became a social stigma and taboo, one that people prefer not to mention out loud.