The enemy within: How ancient armies handled waste on the march

Roman armies implemented advanced waste management during campaigns to prevent disease. Soldiers used designated areas and shallow latrine pits outside camps, with strict sanitation rules to protect water sources. Other armies, like the Mongols, had different approaches. Historically, poor sanitation in military camps often caused devastating disease outbreaks, killing more soldiers than combat. Proper waste handling remained a critical challenge for armies until modern times.