Roman Baths Flashcards
What is the Latin term for public bath?
balneum
The plural form is balneae.
What are thermae?
Largest type of baths that had the features of the Greek gymnasia.
What is a balneaticum?
Bath fee collected by the manager (conductor).
What was the usual price for men to enter the baths?
quadrans.
How much did women typically pay to enter the baths compared to men?
Up to twice as much.
Who was allowed to enter the baths for free?
Children.
When did Romans usually take a bath?
Between the meridiatio and the cena or on the 8th hour of the day before lunch.
How many baths were there in Rome at the time of Constantine?
925 baths.
What is the suspensura/hypocaustum?
Second floor of the furnace that carried up heat from above.
What is a testudo?
Metal heater used to heat water in the baths.
What does alveus refer to in the context of Roman baths?
“Belly” - hot water tank.
What is a labrum/solium?
Basin of metal for douche.
What was the role of a capsarius?
Slave who rubbed oil, scraped it off, and handed the bather his towel.
What is an apodyterium?
Dressing room.
What does tepidarium refer to?
Warm-watered room.
What is a caldarium?
Hot-watered room.
What is a frigidarium?
Cold-watered room.
What is the term for the room used for rubbing down and oiling the body?
unctörium
This room was essential in ancient bathing practices.
What does the term laconicum/sudatorium refer to?
sweat room
It was used for inducing sweating, similar to a sauna.
What is the function of the destrictarium?
body scraper room
This room was used for body cleansing and exfoliation.
What tool is referred to as a strigil?
tool used to scrape the body
It was commonly used in conjunction with oiling the body.
What is the palaestra?
exercise courtyard (mainly for boxers and wrestlers)
This area was dedicated to physical training and combat sports.
What is the purpose of a gymnasium?
training yard for athletes in general
It served as a place for various athletic activities.
What does natatio refer to?
large swimming pool open to the sky and surrounded by porticos
This structure allowed for swimming and relaxation.
What is a piscina?
small fish pond or pool
Often found in gardens or courtyards.
What is the exedra?
pavilion for sitting
It provided a space for relaxation and social interaction.
What is the term for a running track?
stadium
This venue was used for athletic competitions.
What are scholae?
halls for traveling lecturers
These were spaces for education and discourse.
What is the term for a library in this context?
bibliotheca
It served as a collection space for books and knowledge.
