The Importance Of Greek Baths In Ancient Rome

The Roman Empire, during its peak, made revolutionary contributions to social, political and cultural customs of the world. Romans were known for their adaptation of other cultures, especially Greek culture, and enhancing them to create a modern society. These enhancements are present in architectural advancements of the Romans, specifically their recreation of Greek baths. Roman baths, and their changes over time, reflect the revolutionary methods of Roman construction, societal structure and cultural customs. By 310 ACE, the Roman Empire had created an expanded bath house that exemplified the strength of Roman architecture, relationships between emperor and people and the standards for Roman culture. Construction of the Roman baths mirrored …show more content…
Each consisted of eight standard rooms—The apodyterium, palaestrae, notation, laconica, sudatoria, calidarium, tepidarium and fridgidarium. In addition to these standard room, many included spas, private baths, toilets, libraries, lecture halls, fountains and outdoor gardens (Davis 117). The layout of the bath is suggestive of the progressive nature of Roman architecture, in that it has a specific pattern visitors had to follow upon arrival. It was not only meant to be aesthetically pleasing, but also highly functional. It establish a motif of aesthetic and practicality throughout Roman architecture (Cunliffe 87). The rooms also reveal the complex network established by Romans. Due to the high demand of water for major cities, Roman baths made use of water from aqueducts to create a luxurious environment. Baths were so large in size that aqueducts were set up to supply the baths with not only water, but heat. Romans utilized Greek techniques and enhanced them. Water was lead, through pipes, into furnaces which could then warm the baths and support the hypocaust, underfloor, heating. The furnaces were precise in their construction and would allow heat to rise to the tiles above them (Fagan 388). Lastly, bricks were used to supply insulation and windows allowed for the sun to warm the bathers. Hence, the baths reveal Roman construction as not only modern, but an efficient work of …show more content…
Bath houses were a prized symbol of Roman success as it was a luxury to have and a testament to Roman hygiene. Bathing became so widely adored by citizens that building one was necessary to keep people pleased with the emperor. In many cases, since Roman law declared citizens to always praise the emperor, days of celebration became days of free admittance to the baths (Fagan 137). Celebrations included in these free days were the birthdays of the emperors. By doing this, Emperors were able to appease citizens who would otherwise be unruly and dissatisfied with the