Roman Baths

OK people, what do we know about the role of the good old Roman Bath house?

I have just wrote an essay linked to the subject and must admit its a very interesting area.

I dunno, never saw them anyway

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Originally Posted by ShadesWolf

OK people, what do we know about the role of the good old Roman Bath house?

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They copied them from the Greeks?

If you wrote an essay, why don't you post it for our information or comment?

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Originally Posted by alh_p

They copied them from the Greeks?

If you wrote an essay, why don't you post it for our information or comment?

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Is that proven? All cultures had at least some form of bathing.

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Originally Posted by Horatius

Is that proven? All cultures had at least some form of bathing.

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Well, I was lucky enough to be on holiday in Sicily recently, where I visited a number of hellenistic archeological sites. Possibly the best preserved was Morgantina, especially it's baths, a model of which was displayed at the musem of the site in nearby Aidone.

What particularily struck me was the heating system which seemed very similar to that I've seen in later Roman sites. Morgantina was occupied by Romans though, so I can't be sure of the dating e.g. what went first -there were a series of improvements of the baths throughout the city's occupation.

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Originally Posted by alh_p

Well, I was lucky enough to be on holiday in Sicily recently, where I visited a number of hellenistic archeological sites. Possibly the best preserved was Morgantina, especially it's baths, a model of which was displayed at the musem of the site in nearby Aidone.

What particularily struck me was the heating system which seemed very similar to that I've seen in later Roman sites. Morgantina was occupied by Romans though, so I can't be sure of the dating e.g. what went first -there were a series of improvements of the baths throughout the city's occupation.

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I don't know about the baths you are reffering to, but the greek Gymnasium did have things that Roman Bath Houses did not, details but it isn't important (and Romans built baths in all of their cities). The point I was making is if the Romans didn't come up with the concept themselves they have taken it from the Etruscans or other cultures as easily as the Greeks. The Etruscans probably gave the Romans the concept because Rome did start out as an Etruscan ruled city. That said Greek architecture is still incredible and very worth studying.

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Originally Posted by Horatius

I don't know about the baths you are reffering to, but the greek Gymnasium did have things that Roman Bath Houses did not, details but it isn't important (and Romans built baths in all of their cities). The point I was making is if the Romans didn't come up with the concept themselves they have taken it from the Etruscans or other cultures as easily as the Greeks. The Etruscans probably gave the Romans the concept because Rome did start out as an Etruscan ruled city. That said Greek architecture is still incredible and very worth studying.

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True, the baths in Morgantina still had the hot/cold element, but they were adminsitered differently. I think they actually had cermic "bath tubs" where the hot water was poured over the person sitting in the tub.

As to who came up with the idea first, I've no idea. Its interesting how such social practices evolved but are in some ways still present in modern societies -e.g the Hammam.

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Originally Posted by alh_p

They copied them from the Greeks?

If you wrote an essay, why don't you post it for our information or comment?

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I cant post my degree essays as its not allowed.

however, if people are interested in Roman baths google the baths of caracalla

Check this out as a taste : Baths of Caracalla

The bath complex covered approximately 13 hectares (33 ac). The bath building was 228 meters (750 ft) long, 116 meters (380 ft) wide and 38.5 meters (125 ft) estimated height, and could hold an estimated 1,600 bathers [source - wikipedia.org/wiki/Baths_of_Caracalla]

Roman baths are an interesting subject, they were more of a social institution than just a bath. Caracalla is an excellent example of all the varied activities that could go on. It would be a meeting place in late afternoon before people left to go and have the evening meal ( the cena.)

It appears from ancient written source and ruins (pompeii is a good example) that all aspects of society including women and slaves were allowed to bathe in the communal public baths (thermae)