aNCIENT ROMAN BATHS

In the first century B.C., a typical Roman citizen’s day would include work in the morning and a leisurely afternoon at the public bath or thermae. Large cities and small towns alike had public baths. The baths were large buildings built for the citizens by rich emperors who wanted to impress their subjects. Sometimes, wealthy Romans who were trying to gain popularity with the people would pay the entry fee for anyone wishing …

…to the bathing facilities found in Pompeii, these had shops, lecture halls, elaborate gymnasiums, gardens, and libraries. The public baths were the center of social life and a place for relaxation and recreation. Many works of art were discovered in the ruins. Cicero probably visited the public baths at least once a day, to relieve the stress given to him by Catiline. These baths are now a major historical and tourist attraction around Eastern Europe.