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Since most Roman houses had no baths, Roman baths were public and had a communal character, acting as a place for socialising. From the second century BC they were one of the main meeting points for people. They could be big monumental buildings which were complexes with many facilities Friends met there, rich people met their clients, and group meals could be arranged. Politicians canvassed there. The Romans believed that good health came from eating, bathing, massage and exercise, mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy/sound mind in a healthy body). Therefore their baths provided for all of these. Bigger baths could have shops, eating outlets and areas, washing areas, massage areas, rooms for poetry readings and a library (the baths of Caracalla had two libraries, a Latin one and a Greek one) and host musical and dancing performances. The average length of stay at the baths was two hours.

There was often an outdoor palaestra (gymnasium) for ball games, weight lifting, or throwing the discus. The routine started with exercises, bathing and washing, which was separate from bathing and involved putting on perfumed oils and scraping dead skin off with a stirgil, a small metal tool. Pumice and beech ash were used to treat the skin. Finally bathers went to massage rooms which were done with perfumed oils and special ointments such almond oil and myrrh imported from the East and Egypt.

Bathing was a long process. After undressing in the apodytermium bathers went to the tepidarium which was heated with warm air to prepare for the hot vapour of the baths and for anointing, which was usually done by slaves, and to reacclimatise the body before going back outdoors. They then proceeded into the caldarium, a hot air room, which contained a square-shaped pool with hot water (calida piscina) and a labrum, a round basin with cold water bathers poured on their heads before leaving the room. In imperial times a laconicum or sudatorium was added. This was a very hot, sweating room or sauna. After having opened the pores of the skin in the tepidarium, caldarium and laconicum, bathers went into the frigidarium, which had a pool with cold water, for a cold plunge- bath to close the pores. Finally they went back to the tepidarium to readjust to the outdoors temperature.

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10y ago
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14y ago

Firstly. The Romans where intensely interested with hygiene and cleanliness.

Secondly. Roman baths were often not just pools but also exercise fields. People came so as to wrestle, jog, do gymnastics and many other exercising activities. They were basically equivalent to our gyms of today.

Thirdly. Many of the baths that the Romans built where special to a god, such as the Roman baths in Bath England. In a sense they where almost temples.

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13y ago

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths.However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths. However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths. However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths. However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths. However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths. However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths. However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths. However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths. However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

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10y ago

Since most Roman houses had no baths, their baths were public and had a communal character, acting as a place for socialising. It was a place people went to after the end of the working day (which finished at noon because it started at dawn). This was particularly useful for the poor who lived in the upper floors of the tenements which, besides not having running water, only had small and overcrowded rooms where people could only sleep. the poor lived their lives outdoors, ate outdoors, and went to outdoors public toilets. For the rich, going to the baths was part of their leisured lifestyle and a place where they could meet their clients and engage in intellectual pursuits.

From the second century BC they were one of the main meeting points for people. They could be big monumental complexes s with many facilities. Friends met there, rich people met their clients, and group meals could be arranged. Politicians canvassed there. Poetry readings and oratory debates were held. There was also a gym and massage areas. Bigger baths also had shops, eating outlets and areas, a swimming pool and libraries (the baths of Caracalla had two libraries, a Latin one and a Greek one). The average length of stay at the baths was two hours.

The Romans believed that good health came from eating, bathing, massage and physical and mental exercise: mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy/sound mind in a healthy body). Therefore their baths provided for all of these.

The main routine was to start with exercising and/or playing sports at the palaestra (the gym). This followed by bathing. Bathers then had olive oil put on their body, and had their skin scraped with special metal scrapers (the strigil). Pumice and beech ash were used to treat the skin. Afterwards they went to massage rooms which were done with perfumed ointments such almond oil and myrrh imported from the East and Egypt.

Bathing was a long process. After undressing in the apodytermium bathers went to the tepidarium which was heated with warm air to prepare for the hot vapour of the baths for anointing, which was usually done by slaves, and to reacclimatise the body before going outdoors. They then proceeded into the caldarium, a hot air room, which contained a pool with hot water (calida piscina) and a labrum, a round basin with cold water. Bathers poured on their heads before leaving the room. In imperial times a laconicum or sudatorium was added. This was a very hot, sweating room or sauna After having opened the pores of the skin in the caldarium and laconicum, bathers went into the frigidarium, which had a pool with cold water, for a cold plunge- bath to close the pores. Finally they went back to the tepidarium to readjust to the outdoors temperature before leaving

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13y ago

Because they were open to the public! Romans didnt care about bathing in public, they worshiped there bodies in every way. They thouht that there bodies was a work of art!

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12y ago

Ancient baths were popular because they were a part of their culture (beauty) and really... it was the only "main" water usage.

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11y ago

They had Roman bath houses because it was where they could play games,talk and make new friends.

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13y ago

The main purpose was getting clean, they were baths.However they were also social and recreational gathering places with personal services, food and shopping facilities.

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Q: Why were ancient Rome public baths so popular?
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Who were the bath houses open to in ancient Rome?

The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.


What role did the public bath house play in Rome?

There are 2 roles: It was a recreational activity enjoyed by people of all ages, sexes, and social classes. Also life in the city like ancient community centers for the citizen of Rome.


How did the people in ancient Rome use the water?

public baths , toilets , drinking , anything Romans would use it for


How long did it take to construct the ancient Roman Baths of Caracalla?

This immense complex, the Baths of Caracalla, built for the citizens of Rome took only six years to construct.


What is the name of the professional fighters in Ancient Rome who engaged in public performances?

The name of the professional fighters in Ancient Rome who engaged in public performances was "gladiators."

Related questions

What were the places for socializing in Ancient Rome?

The places for socializing in ancient Rome were the public baths, the many fora and the public parks and recreation areas. Socializing also took place at dinner parties.The places for socializing in ancient Rome were the public baths, the many fora and the public parks and recreation areas. Socializing also took place at dinner parties.The places for socializing in ancient Rome were the public baths, the many fora and the public parks and recreation areas. Socializing also took place at dinner parties.The places for socializing in ancient Rome were the public baths, the many fora and the public parks and recreation areas. Socializing also took place at dinner parties.The places for socializing in ancient Rome were the public baths, the many fora and the public parks and recreation areas. Socializing also took place at dinner parties.The places for socializing in ancient Rome were the public baths, the many fora and the public parks and recreation areas. Socializing also took place at dinner parties.The places for socializing in ancient Rome were the public baths, the many fora and the public parks and recreation areas. Socializing also took place at dinner parties.The places for socializing in ancient Rome were the public baths, the many fora and the public parks and recreation areas. Socializing also took place at dinner parties.The places for socializing in ancient Rome were the public baths, the many fora and the public parks and recreation areas. Socializing also took place at dinner parties.


What was the name of the ancient rome baths?

anyone can answer


Why was there no swimming in ancient rome?

There was swimming in ancient Rome. The baths of Caracalla in the city of Rome had a swimming pool and so did some of the other largest Roman baths around the empire. Most people went to the baths daily.


What ancient Roman designed the huge baths of the Emperor Trajan?

The Roman Emperor Trajan spent the gold extracted from the conquest of Dacia on many buildings in Rome. One area Trajan wished to improve was the public baths. Reportedly, he had the architect Apollodorus of Damascus design a huge complex of public baths. Citizens could enjoy hot and cold baths. The baths were a great way to socialize in ancient Rome.


Where were the main baths in Ancient Rome?

Believe it or not, there were no main baths in ancient Rome. There were many private baths, private in the sense that they were owned by individuals and not the State. The wealthy also had personal baths in their homes. Marcus Agrippa was one of the first, if not the first to build a public bath. From his time onward, the public bath culture took hold. By the time of the emperor Nero there were 1,000 baths in Rome. Bigger and better seemed to be the keyword for baths. The baths of Caracalla held 1,600 people and the Baths of Diocletian held a whopping 3,000 people. So you could loosely say that the larger baths of Caracalla and Diocletian were the main baths, simply because of their size.


In ancient Rome when did the men and women bathe?

At the public baths, the women and men had different times. The men baths were usually open at noon while the women went in the morning.


Who were the bath houses open to in ancient Rome?

The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.


Who were the bath houses open to in rome?

The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.The bath houses in ancient Rome were open to all. Some were privately owned and charged a fee much higher than the imperial or public baths, so only a select few could use them.


What is the word for a public place where people can have a bath?

In ancient Rome they used the word "thermae" for the baths, although thermae literally means a hot bath. But since all the public baths had hot rooms, thermae was appropriate. The word "blaineum" could also be used.


How did central heating make it easier in ancient rome?

It warmed homes and baths.


What time did people go to public baths in Rome?

Around Lunch time.


What role did the public bath house play in Rome?

There are 2 roles: It was a recreational activity enjoyed by people of all ages, sexes, and social classes. Also life in the city like ancient community centers for the citizen of Rome.