History of the Roman Baths
The first public baths appeared in Rome in the 1st century B.C. The development of the hypocaust is what really made the baths successful. Then the baths became part of daily life for the Romans. They were a place for relaxation, socialization, and cleanliness.
The baths consisted of several different rooms: the palaestra, frigidarium, tepidarium, and caldarium. The Romans would travel through these rooms in a specific order. First, they would enter the palaetra, an exercise area, to exercise and work up a sweat. They believed the sweat would loosen the dirt on their skin. Then they would go to the tepidarium, a warm water bath, to prepare them for the heat of the caldarium, which would be where they would rinse off the sweat and dirt. After the caldarium, they would return to the tepidarium and then head to the figidarium, a cold water bath, to cool down.
This complex system of bathing shows how important it was to the Romans to be clean. It took no small amount of time for all the steps to be completed, so hygiene was obviously very high on the list of things they found important.
The baths consisted of several different rooms: the palaestra, frigidarium, tepidarium, and caldarium. The Romans would travel through these rooms in a specific order. First, they would enter the palaetra, an exercise area, to exercise and work up a sweat. They believed the sweat would loosen the dirt on their skin. Then they would go to the tepidarium, a warm water bath, to prepare them for the heat of the caldarium, which would be where they would rinse off the sweat and dirt. After the caldarium, they would return to the tepidarium and then head to the figidarium, a cold water bath, to cool down.
This complex system of bathing shows how important it was to the Romans to be clean. It took no small amount of time for all the steps to be completed, so hygiene was obviously very high on the list of things they found important.
The Baths of Constantine
Floor Plan of the Baths of Constantine
The Baths of Constantine can be found in Arles, France. They were built in the beginning of the 4th century on the banks of the Rhone River. During the time of its construction, the city reached an important position in politics. Emperor Constantine made the city one of his imperial residences. This brought many to Arles, and therefore, to the baths.
The Baths of Constantine, unlike some others, have several hearths. There are several underneath the caldarium, but there are also two others. One is located in the northeastern corner of the building. Another is located in the southwester corner of the southern room. It is possible these hearths were there to keep the halls warm during the colder winter months.
The caldarium was an arched pool covered by a large dome and illuminated by three arched windows. Several hearths kept the water warm, as was mentioned before. A door to the south connected the caldarium another pool. This was the tepidarium. Much of the Baths of Constantine have not been uncovered yet because a neighborhood was built on top of the southern half. However, archaeologists are finding out all they can!
The Baths of Constantine, unlike some others, have several hearths. There are several underneath the caldarium, but there are also two others. One is located in the northeastern corner of the building. Another is located in the southwester corner of the southern room. It is possible these hearths were there to keep the halls warm during the colder winter months.
The caldarium was an arched pool covered by a large dome and illuminated by three arched windows. Several hearths kept the water warm, as was mentioned before. A door to the south connected the caldarium another pool. This was the tepidarium. Much of the Baths of Constantine have not been uncovered yet because a neighborhood was built on top of the southern half. However, archaeologists are finding out all they can!
Works Cited
•"ArchINFORM - International Architecture Database." ArchINFORM - International Architecture Database. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://eng.archinform.net/projekte/14035.htm>.
•"Roman Art Flashcards." AP Art History Lyon Flashcards. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/roman-art-flashcards/deck/2250268>.
•"Roman Baths." Roman Baths. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/roman_baths.htm>.
•"Visite De La Ville." Visite De La Ville. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.arles-tourisme.com/en_gb/Ville_visite.aspx?Code=3f9026e0-1156-41dc-81ff-994e73ce1938>.
•"Roman Art Flashcards." AP Art History Lyon Flashcards. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/roman-art-flashcards/deck/2250268>.
•"Roman Baths." Roman Baths. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/roman_baths.htm>.
•"Visite De La Ville." Visite De La Ville. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.arles-tourisme.com/en_gb/Ville_visite.aspx?Code=3f9026e0-1156-41dc-81ff-994e73ce1938>.