Pompeii Baths
![Picture](/uploads/4/9/2/3/49237433/154056670.png)
Public baths (thermae) were extremely common in the ancient world and many cities had one if not many building dedicated to baths. The baths were the ancient Roman equivalent of a community centre. Politicians did much of their work at the baths, gaining support, other citizens would invite friends to dinner parties on their daily trip to the baths. Baths were often built by wealthy individuals in return for support if they were running for a political position. Often baths were quite extravagant, sometimes including gymnasiums or pool or libraries. "The modern equivalent would be a combination of a library, art gallery, mall, restaurant, gym and spa." Baths had some important and well-known pieces of sculpture which often show-cased the artist's knowledge of the human physiology and anatomy. The Romans believe that good health came from bathing, as well as eating, massages and exercise. Which is why these therma often included more than just baths. It was expected that bathing was a part of the daily routine of every citizen.
The baths were also a chance for the Romans to showcase their engineering knowledge. The baths that were found in Pompeii showed that they had built a system to heat not only the baths but the rooms in the building. They did this by allowing hot water to flow through hollow walls. They also used an intricate filtering method to periodically clean the baths water as well as keep it warm.
Even the most simple baths included several key features. The baths themselves were the Apodyterium which were essentially the changing rooms. The Frigidarium (cold water), Tepidarium (warm water) and Caldarium (hot water) baths. Some had a Laconicum which was a chamber still hotter than the Caldarium, essentially a sauna. Pools would have two lots of these as a bare minimum, one for woman and one for men.
The baths were also a chance for the Romans to showcase their engineering knowledge. The baths that were found in Pompeii showed that they had built a system to heat not only the baths but the rooms in the building. They did this by allowing hot water to flow through hollow walls. They also used an intricate filtering method to periodically clean the baths water as well as keep it warm.
Even the most simple baths included several key features. The baths themselves were the Apodyterium which were essentially the changing rooms. The Frigidarium (cold water), Tepidarium (warm water) and Caldarium (hot water) baths. Some had a Laconicum which was a chamber still hotter than the Caldarium, essentially a sauna. Pools would have two lots of these as a bare minimum, one for woman and one for men.