Public baths for cleaning and comforting were a popular feature of Roman cities during Ancient times.
Its primary purpose is to make sure that Romans stay clean especially the ones who are living in the city.
Normally, the Romans would get themselves clean by simply applying oil on their skin before using a metal scraper known as strigil to scrub the dirt away
The idea of public baths was initially made into fruition by Old Greek towns that provided people with a minimal succession of hip baths.
The Romans subsequently developed the concept and incorporated a variety of facilities that made it more popular even in smaller regions of the Roman world
Entering the Baths
Generally, one would pay a low fee to enter public baths. Often times, a politician or an emperor will shoulder the costs for the public to enter Roman baths.
Wealthy people, on the other hand, have their own private baths inside of their houses.
Having a private bath can be relatively expensive as the government requires the owner to pay for the water they have consumed.
Nonetheless, historians believe that wealthy Romans likely visited public baths to communicate and meet new people
The Water
The water supply that is utilized in Roman baths often comes from rivers and lakes in the cities that were distributed through the aqueducts.
Roman engineers continuously oversee the water levels in aqueducts to see to it that there is enough water for public baths
Dissimilar to modern bathrooms, a typical Roman bath is comprised of a number of rooms such as the Apodyterium, the Tepidarium, the Caldarium, the Frigidarium, and the Palaestra.
The Tepidarium which is the primary central hall of the bath provides everyone with a warm bath while the Frigidarium and the Caldarium are the places which offer cold and hot baths respectively.
The Palaestra, meanwhile, is a gymnasium where everyone can work out and lift weights as well as play ball games or throw a discus
Facts about Roman Baths
- Roman baths are considered luxurious. Roman baths architecture was normally made up of mirrors that cover the walls and ceilings that were covered in glass. Likewise, the floors are comprised of complex mosaic arts while its pools are built in with a substantial marble.
- Other rooms of a Roman bath include the notatio or the open-air swimming pool, massage rooms, sudatoria, and laconica, which are both sweating rooms.
- Among the ways to heat up water in a Roman bath is through furnaces and hypocaust engine.
- The Baths of Diocletian is considered as one of the biggest public baths in Rome. It was constructed on 306 A.D. and catered about 3,000 people every single day. In addition, its area covers more than 30 acres of space.
- One of the most renowned Roman baths can be found in Bath, England. According to several rumors, the Roman Bath in England is said to have healing capabilities.
- Large baths were equipped with snack bars, game rooms, reading rooms, gardens, libraries, and restaurants.
- Aqueducts provided water supply through public baths. A typical aqueduct used by public baths is at least 640 kilometers in size.
- Public baths are ordinarily made up of four entrances to serve the number of people entering and exiting the area.
Q&A
Where are Roman baths located?
More often than not, Roman baths were located near the Forum
What are the purposes of Roman baths?
Unlike every room, the public bath was described as a community center wherein people not only relaxed but also worked out and socialized with their fellow Romans.
In fact, some men also discuss politics and host business meetings in public baths
When were the Baths of Caracalla completed?
The Baths of Caracalla is one of the most famous Roman baths in the world. It was completed in 253 C.E
Where did Romans change their clothes?
In public Roman baths, people go to the Apodyterium to change their clothes.
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