The Romans did a lot in terms of building the infrastructure for future generations, but did you know they focussed on wellness too? The Romans developed the first known public health measures, when they realised their workers were no good to them if they were sick. They piped in clean water from lakes and springs to reservoirs (though sadly this was distributed through towns in lead pipes), and provided public baths, steam rooms and massage as they believed a healthy body and mind went hand in hand. They also provided public toilets and sewage systems flushed through by diverted rivers. Above all, the Romans believed that if you stayed fit and in good shape, your body could fight off disease and infection – a theory that now forms the basis of many more modern therapies.