kurtedwr Posted November 12, 2006 Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 Public Baths: who frequent them? Could anyone in the Empire afford to use 'em, or were they so expensive that only the wealthy were able to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost_Warrior Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 That would probably depend on the time period. I believe that the baths did not cost much, however, that is relative to how much you have. Chances are, the very poor did not go to the baths perhaps except on special occasions, or when it was free. Oftentimes, though, Imperators would make the baths free for everyone. As a sign of his magnamity (did I spell that right?) he would agree to "pick up the tab" for everyone who wished to visit the baths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Porcius Cato Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 As I recall, the baths of Caracalla were free to the public, and they were frequented by free men and slaves, men and women, young and old. Most likely, it was considered in the public interest that everyone bathe, much as we consider it in the public interest that everyone be vaccinated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Octavius Posted November 13, 2006 Report Share Posted November 13, 2006 That would probably depend on the time period. I believe that the baths did not cost much, however, that is relative to how much you have. Chances are, the very poor did not go to the baths perhaps except on special occasions, or when it was free. Oftentimes, though, Imperators would make the baths free for everyone. As a sign of his magnamity magnanimity (did I spell that right?) he would agree to "pick up the tab" for everyone who wished to visit the baths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucius Apuleius Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 As I recall, the baths of Caracalla were free to the public, and they were frequented by free men and slaves, men and women, young and old. Most likely, it was considered in the public interest that everyone bathe, much as we consider it in the public interest that everyone be vaccinated. So far as everything I read and heard while I was there, the baths were free to all. I believe some were charged to keep out the riff-raff. Rich Romans might set up a private bath in their homes, but would still frequent public baths for the communal aspect of Roman bathing. I can't remember if the massages were free. The massages were considered an important part of the baths. In the standard Roman view of Public Works and Services, ensuring the baths were free and accessible was an important part of government administration. If any Consuls (republic) or Emperor (empire) allowed them to lapse, they were viewed unfavorably. I visited the Diocletian Baths, one of the largest and most opulent in their day. To give you an idea how big, what amounted to the foyer, the entrance to the Baths, is now a large cathedral, the Santa Maria degli Angeli. It's amazing. It's on the Piazza della Repubblica in Rome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludovicus Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 (edited) Santa Maria degli Angeli Church, I don't think it's a cathedral, is one of the most interesting in Rome because it preserves the Diocletian Baths. It may be that the floor is a more recent renovation. Here's an image: http://www.romecity.it/santamariadegliangeli01c.jpg Edited November 18, 2006 by Ludovicus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucius Apuleius Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 (edited) Santa Maria degli Angeli Church, I don't think it's a cathedral, is one of the most interesting in Rome because it preserves the Diocletian Baths. It may be that the floor is a more recent renovation. Here's an image: http://www.romecity.it/santamariadegliangeli01c.jpg Basilica. That's the word I was looking for. Mea culpa. (It's so big, it's almost too much to take in. And it was just the common area.....) Edited November 19, 2006 by Lucius Apuleius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vopattes Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 found this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_baths Thermae were available to everyone at a reasonable price ... i once visited Bath, UK. It would have been wonderful to jump in ... A tourist guide had said the city was thinking of making a new one, i wonder if they have. maybe they have ... http://www.bath.co.uk/_code/external.asp?U...rmaebathspa.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Paulinus Maximus Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 (edited) As I recall, the baths of Caracalla were free to the public, and they were frequented by free men and slaves, men and women, young and old. Most likely, it was considered in the public interest that everyone bathe, much as we consider it in the public interest that everyone be vaccinated. Do you think that the wealthier citizens would have had a seperate part of the baths reserved for them? I just can't imagine the rich and famous people of Rome sharing the same baths and conversing with the poor and the slaves. Edited November 19, 2006 by Gaius Paulinus Maximus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelianus Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Do you think that the wealthier citizens would have had a seperate part of the baths reserved for them? I just can't imagine the rich and famous people of Rome sharing the same baths and conversing with the poor and the slaves. oh, they had private baths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Clodius Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 (edited) While I haven't read Garrett Fagan's Book, I have listened to some of his lectures and I found them to be VERY good. This is a very niche subject and from what I know Fagen's book is the only one out there. Edited November 20, 2006 by P.Clodius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiceroD Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 What Ive always wondered about the great thermae is How did they circulate water in the pools? Woudn't they have to constantly add fresh water while draining some? If they didn't that water would get nasty quick with a hundred bathers in at a time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost_Warrior Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 I believe that is a big part of what the aquaducts were used for. I know they did it, but I'm not entirely sure how. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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