How did the Bath houses work?
Ali Wuckert
2025-05-05 00:29:14
Count answers: 3
In 200 B.C., following the influence of Hippocrates, the Roman Empire began constructing public spas and bathhouses. Initially, they were like thermal spas in Greece and used hot springs to supply the water, but this changed as time went on. The Romans began developing aqueducts that would transport water. This meant that the baths could be built further from the springs. Eventually, the Romans began adding sub-floor heating chambers to the baths. Wood-burning furnaces that caused warm air to rise fueled these, heating the water from below.
The Romans created their baths with many rooms and functions, and so there were stages in how they used them: Apodyterium—this was a locker and changing area where the visitor would undress and store their clothes while they used the baths. Gymnasium—the visitor would complete a workout and then cover themselves head to toe in oil. Frigidarium—after the gymnasium, the visitor went for a cold water plunge to cool off. Tepidarium—after cooling off, they would bathe for some time in a warm water bath to prepare their body for hotter water. Caldarium—this was where they would enjoy a hot bath, heated by either thermal springs or underground furnaces. Many romans would return to the tepidarium after their hot soak to cool down and enjoy a massage.
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