What is a Roman Bath?
A Roman bath is an ancient bathing facility that was used by the people of the Roman Empire. The baths were built to provide a place for people to relax, socialize, and cleanse themselves. They were also used as a form of entertainment and leisure.
History of Roman Baths
The first Roman baths were built in the 2nd century BC and were used by both men and women. These baths were typically large complexes with multiple rooms, including hot and cold pools, steam rooms, massage rooms, and changing areas. The baths were heated by furnaces fueled by wood or coal, and the water was supplied from nearby rivers or springs.
Features of Roman Baths
Roman baths typically featured several different rooms with various temperatures and functions. The caldarium was the hottest room, where bathers would sweat out impurities in the air-conditioned heat. The tepidarium was slightly cooler than the caldarium and was used for relaxation. The frigidarium was the coldest room and contained a pool of cold water for cooling off after a hot bath. Other features included massage tables, saunas, steam rooms, and changing areas.