Public Bathrooms By: Chay Whyte

Design  They spent vast amounts of money on an elaborate system public baths in both Rome and it’s colonies  These buildings were magnificent buildings that function as community centers  The buildings had rooms for men, women, gardens, libraries etc.

No Privacy  Bathing played a major part in ancient Roman culture and society  The romans considered public bathing an event  Though many contemporary cultures see bathing as a very private activity conducted in the home, bathing in Rome was a communal activity.

The Process  Bathing was done in stages  A bather might first enter a cold bath then move on to a lukewarm bath, and finally a steaming hot bath  sometimes the order would be reversed  The romans would scrub themselves with bronze brushes with metal teeth  Those who could afford this would get massages

So Much More  The bathhouse was more than just a place to wash. It was kind of like what shopping malls are today.  It was a place to meet friends, a place where you could get something to eat, a place to workout, even a place to read the days news.  You could even get your hair cut and styled.

Criticism  While the baths were enjoyed by almost every Roman, there were those who criticized them.  The water was not renewed often and the remains of oil, dirt or even excrement were kept warm, providing a milieu for bacteria  It was a commonplace that wine, sex and baths are bad for the body but pleasurable.

Questions  What did some bathhouses look like  It was kind of like what shopping malls are today.

Sources  _Roman_bathing _Roman_bathing