Baths of Caracalla
Construction of the Baths of Caracalla started in 212 AD and was finished in 217 AD. The baths are located It was built while Emperor Caracalla, whose real name was Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, which is why the baths were origianlly called Thermae Antoninianae. When Emperor Caracalla adopted the nickname (due to the Gallic tunic he often wore), so did the baths.
The ruins of the Baths of Caracalla are located southeast of ancient Rome's center. The Baths of Caracalla were massive, covering 27 acres and bathing facilities large enough to accommodate more than 1600 people. The bath helped keep citizens clean and healthy, and also provided a place for them to relax, gossip, and exercise.
A trip to the baths began with a hot bath in the calidarium, followed by the lukewarm tepidarium, and then the cold frigidarium. To finish, a swim in the natatio, an open air swimming pool. But the Baths of Caracalla were more than your typical bath, it also included gymnasiums, libraries, gardens, art galleries, restaurants and even brothels. They were known for their rich interior which included marble seats, mosaic covered walls and floors, fountains, and statues. Citizens were drawn to this bath because of these unique features and luxurious interior.
This bath was similar to others in its basic elements, the calidarium, tepidarium, frigidarium, and natatio. It was different in its more luxurious and unusual elements, like the gyms, libraries, restaurants, and gardens.
The water for these baths were from the Aqua Marcia aqueduct. Below the actual baths were two levels: the upper for services and heating water, and the lower for water drainage. The baths were fully operational until the Goths destroyed the aqueduct in 537 AD, cutting off the water supply.
If you would like to learn more about the Baths of Caracalla and its history and importance to Rome, click the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe3WEEpeHVs
The ruins of the Baths of Caracalla are located southeast of ancient Rome's center. The Baths of Caracalla were massive, covering 27 acres and bathing facilities large enough to accommodate more than 1600 people. The bath helped keep citizens clean and healthy, and also provided a place for them to relax, gossip, and exercise.
A trip to the baths began with a hot bath in the calidarium, followed by the lukewarm tepidarium, and then the cold frigidarium. To finish, a swim in the natatio, an open air swimming pool. But the Baths of Caracalla were more than your typical bath, it also included gymnasiums, libraries, gardens, art galleries, restaurants and even brothels. They were known for their rich interior which included marble seats, mosaic covered walls and floors, fountains, and statues. Citizens were drawn to this bath because of these unique features and luxurious interior.
This bath was similar to others in its basic elements, the calidarium, tepidarium, frigidarium, and natatio. It was different in its more luxurious and unusual elements, like the gyms, libraries, restaurants, and gardens.
The water for these baths were from the Aqua Marcia aqueduct. Below the actual baths were two levels: the upper for services and heating water, and the lower for water drainage. The baths were fully operational until the Goths destroyed the aqueduct in 537 AD, cutting off the water supply.
If you would like to learn more about the Baths of Caracalla and its history and importance to Rome, click the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe3WEEpeHVs
