Roman Baths

Question 1

What is the Latin term for public bath?

Answer 1

balneum

The plural form is balneae.

Question 2

What are thermae?

Answer 2

Largest type of baths that had the features of the Greek gymnasia.

Question 3

What is a balneaticum?

Answer 3

Bath fee collected by the manager (conductor).

Question 4

What was the usual price for men to enter the baths?

Answer 4

quadrans.

Question 5

How much did women typically pay to enter the baths compared to men?

Answer 5

Up to twice as much.

Question 6

Who was allowed to enter the baths for free?

Answer 6

Children.

Question 7

When did Romans usually take a bath?

Answer 7

Between the meridiatio and the cena or on the 8th hour of the day before lunch.

Question 8

How many baths were there in Rome at the time of Constantine?

Answer 8

925 baths.

Question 9

What is the suspensura/hypocaustum?

Answer 9

Second floor of the furnace that carried up heat from above.

Question 10

What is a testudo?

Answer 10

Metal heater used to heat water in the baths.

Question 11

What does alveus refer to in the context of Roman baths?

Answer 11

“Belly” - hot water tank.

Question 12

What is a labrum/solium?

Answer 12

Basin of metal for douche.

Question 13

What was the role of a capsarius?

Answer 13

Slave who rubbed oil, scraped it off, and handed the bather his towel.

Question 14

What is an apodyterium?

Answer 14

Dressing room.

Question 15

What does tepidarium refer to?

Answer 15

Warm-watered room.

Question 16

What is a caldarium?

Answer 16

Hot-watered room.

Question 17

What is a frigidarium?

Answer 17

Cold-watered room.

Question 18

What is the term for the room used for rubbing down and oiling the body?

Answer 18

unctörium

This room was essential in ancient bathing practices.

Question 19

What does the term laconicum/sudatorium refer to?

Answer 19

sweat room

It was used for inducing sweating, similar to a sauna.

Question 20

What is the function of the destrictarium?

Answer 20

body scraper room

This room was used for body cleansing and exfoliation.

Question 21

What tool is referred to as a strigil?

Answer 21

tool used to scrape the body

It was commonly used in conjunction with oiling the body.

Question 22

What is the palaestra?

Answer 22

exercise courtyard (mainly for boxers and wrestlers)

This area was dedicated to physical training and combat sports.

Question 23

What is the purpose of a gymnasium?

Answer 23

training yard for athletes in general

It served as a place for various athletic activities.

Question 24

What does natatio refer to?

Answer 24

large swimming pool open to the sky and surrounded by porticos

This structure allowed for swimming and relaxation.

Question 25

What is a piscina?

Answer 25

small fish pond or pool

Often found in gardens or courtyards.

Question 26

What is the exedra?

Answer 26

pavilion for sitting

It provided a space for relaxation and social interaction.

Question 27

What is the term for a running track?

Answer 27

stadium

This venue was used for athletic competitions.

Question 28

What are scholae?

Answer 28

halls for traveling lecturers

These were spaces for education and discourse.

Question 29

What is the term for a library in this context?

Answer 29

bibliotheca

It served as a collection space for books and knowledge.