The Baths

Question 0

When would Romans visit the baths

Answer 0

In the middle of the afternoon

Question 1

How would they get into the baths

Answer 1

By paying a small admission fee to the door keeper

Question 2

What was they palaestra (2) and what would they do there (4)?

Answer 2

• the palaestra was an open space surrounded by a colonnade (like a large peristylium) used for exercise
• here they would greet friends, and take part in popular exercise activities such as throwing large balls to each other, wrestling and fencing with wooden swords

Question 3

Why did they go to the baths? (4 reasons)

Answer 3

• The great majority did not have baths at home, so they may well go to get clean
• They could meet/socialise with friends
• Snack
• Exercise (in the palaestra)

Question 4

What would be visited after the palaestra?

Answer 4

Apodyterium

Question 5

Where would they usually go first?

Answer 5

To the palaestra (exercise area)

Question 6

Where would the Romans go after the apodyterium?

Answer 6

To the tepidarium

Question 7

What can be found at one end of the caldarium

Answer 7

A huge marble rectangular bath, spanning the width of the room.

The Romans would sit or wallow in here, as it was filled with hot water.

Question 8

Why would the palaestra be visited?

Answer 8

For gentle exercise. They were also a pleasant preparation for the baths which followed.

Question 8

What would be visited after the tepidarium

Answer 8

The Caldarium (hot room)

Question 9

What would the Romans use instead of soap

Answer 9

• They used olive oil instead.
• After soaking in the bath, a slave would be summoned to rub the Roman down with oil he was bought in a little pot. The Roman would lie on a marble slab while the slave works in the oil, and gently removes the dirt with a blunt metal scraper known as a strigil.

The Roman may go to the large stone basin at the other end of the Caldarium and rinse down with cooler water.

Question 10

What would be visited after the Caldarium?

Answer 10

Fridigidarium

Question 12

What was the tepidarium and what would the Romans do here

Answer 12

The tepidarium was a warm room, which was entered into via a arched doorway.

The Romans would spend a little time sitting on the benches round the wall in a warm, steamy atmosphere, preparing for higher temperatures in the next room

Question 13

What is the apodyterium (2) and what would the Romans do here (2)?

Answer 13

The apodyterium was a large hall, which was used as a changing room.

Here the Romans undressed and handed their clothes to a slave who would place them in recesses arranged in rows along the wall.

BE CAREFUL OF CHEEKY THIEVING SLAVE ATTENDENTS!

Question 14

Were the Romans the first to build public baths?

Answer 14

No! The Greeks were! However, roman engineering allowed for a much better heating method.

Question 15

How were the Roman baths heated?

Answer 15

Heated by he hypocaust system.

A furnace was placed below floor level, the floor was supported by small brick piles, leaving space for hot air to circulate. In this way, the floor was warmed from below.

Later, flues (channels) were built into the walls, and the warm air from under the floor was drawn up through them.

Wood was the most common fuel used.

Question 18

What was found in the frigidarium

Answer 18

A deep plunge pool of unheated water. After plunging in the pool, the Roman would rub down with a towel.