Information AboutThermae |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT THERMAE | |
| ancient roman baths | |
| ancient greek and roman bathing | |
| bathing | |
This page is on buildings used for Roman bathing. For the activity in general, see Ancient Roman Bathing . The terms ''balnea'' or '''''thermae''''' were the words the Ancient Romans used for the buildings housing their Public Bath s. Most Roman cities had at least one, if not many, such buildings, which were centres of public bathing and socialisation. Roman bath-houses were also provided for private Villa s, Town Houses and Forts — these were also called thermae. ETYMOLOGY The word ''thermae'' is a Latin borrowing from the Greek adjective ''thermos'', ''therme'', ''thermon'' (hot). Cf. Thermopylae (the hot gates, gates of fire) thermae sc. aquae means "hot waters, hot springs". BUILDING LAYOUT Within the building there were three rooms (or three within each wing - one for each gender - after Hadrian's decree of separation in bathing):
gases flowed, heating the tiles.]] PURPOSE The baths often included, aside from the three main rooms listed above, a '' Palaestra '', or outdoor gymnasium where men would engage in various ball games and exercises. There, among other things, weights were lifted and the discus thrown. Men would oil themselves (as Soap was still a luxury good and thus not widely available), Shower , and remove the excess with a Strigil (cf. the well known Apoxyomenus of Lysippus from the Vatican Museum ). Often wealthy bathers would bring a ''capsarius'', a slave that carried his master's towels, oils, and strigils to the baths and then watched over them once in the baths, as thieves and pickpockets were known to frequent the baths. The changing room was known as the '' Apodyterium '' (Greek ''apodyterion'', apo + duo "to take off" here of clothing). CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE The baths were an important place in the lives of Romans. Built as public monuments, they were used by everyone, whether rich or poor, free or slave. A person could eat, exercise, read, drink, shop, socialize, and discuss politics. The modern equivalent would be a combination of a library, art gallery, mall, bar/restaurant, gym, and spa. {Link without Title} When asked by a foreigner why he bathed once a day, a Roman emperor is said to have replied "Because I do not have the time to bathe twice a day." {Link without Title} Emperors often built baths to gain favor for themselves and to create a lasting monument of their generosity. If a rich Roman wished to gain the favor of the people, he might arrange for a free admission day in his name. For example, a senator hoping to become a Tribune might pay all admission fees at a particular bath on his birthday to become well known to the people of the area. LOCATION Baths sprung up all over the empire. Where natural Hot Spring s existed (as in Bath, England , and Băile Herculane ) ''thermae'' were built around them. Alternatively a system of '' Hypocausta '' (Greek hypocauston < hypo "below" + kaio "to burn") were utilized to heat the waters heated by a furnace (''praefurnium'') REMAINS OF ROMAN PUBLIC BATHS Algeria
Bulgaria , Bulgaria ]]
United Kingdom
France
Germany Hungary Italy
Romania Spain The Netherlands MILITARY BATHHOUSES UK VILLA BATHHOUSES UK SEE ALSO REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|