Roman bath rooms

Roman Baths . Large rooms, which were true palaces where up to 2,500 people could bathe at variable temperatures, with massages and scented creams.

Summary

[ hide ]

  • 1 History
  • 2 Rooms of the Roman baths
  • 3 Roman custom
  • 4 Benefits of Roman Baths
  • 5 Source

History

Throughout history the bathing ritual meant much more than a few minutes dedicated to personal hygiene. For ancient civilizations, such as Egypt , Greece and Rome , the bath acquired religious connotations that were intertwined with the pleasure and ostentation of wealth (great palaces, gold and ivory ), legions of slaves and also with the use of aromatic oils and essences . The origin of this habit was not only linked to religion but also to medicine.

The hygiene of the Romans had a purifying sense, while evoking pleasure were baths at variable temperature, with massages and scented creams. Aware of the need to care for the body, the Romans spent time bathing in the collective baths. All this was carried out under the good auspices of Higiea , goddess of health, from whose name the current word “hygiene” derives.

In the East, Turkish baths become rituals of religious purification, pleasure and hygiene. In the Roman baths they were carried out from medicinal treatments, in those baths whose waters had healing properties, to sports practices, massages, business centers and, of course, the enjoyment of the bath itself. From the 1st century BC, the use of Roman baths became widespread and spread throughout the entire Roman Empire .

Roman bath rooms

Roman baths consist of different spaces that offer water and steam at different temperatures. Their names and functions were as follows:

  • Frigidarium: cold water bath room.
  • Tepidarium: the water increased its temperature a little preparing the user for the hottest bath.
  • Caldarium: area where the water is warmer.
  • Laconicum: area where you can take steam baths.

These rooms were completed with areas for sports, leisure areas, receiving massages, waxing and, in short, enjoying a good time relaxing.

Roman custom

Despite all the aforementioned occurrences, in luxury and eccentricities, nobody beats the Romans. Nero was famous for his extravagances. The walls of his palace were lined with ivory sheets that released flowers and essences on the most unsuspecting attendees.

The Romans also went to imposing public baths. They were true palaces where up to 2,500 people could bathe. Bathers who entered these “toilet temples” entrusted their cloakroom robes or capsarii. Then they went to the “frigidarium”, where they bathed with cold water, and then to the “tepidarium” with warm water. Then the “caldarium” awaited them , a kind of sauna that caused abundant perspiration. Later, some servers, the “strigiles” were dedicated to wiping the sweat and waxing from the crowd . Then the “tractators” or masseurs stretched the muscles of their clients and then give way to the “unctores”, who anointed them with perfumed oils.

Finally, the Roman covered himself with his warm mantle and rubbed his forehead with a linen handkerchief , to remove the surplus of these substances. It was very common to use “susinun”, an ointment made from aromatic reeds, honey , cinnamon , saffron and myrrh .

Another very popular Roman custom was to wash the body with aromatic fatty earth. This kind of Roman soap , however, had a very specific purpose: it was made from goat’s tallow and beech ashes, and it was used only to dye the hair blonde.

Benefits of Roman Baths

  • Helps release tension and stress disappears.
  • Removes toxins from the skin and helps clean pores.
  • Ideal to relax muscle tension .
  • Clear the airways .
  • Stimulates blood circulation.
  • Taking baths at different temperatures can help us combat flaccidity.
  • They are suitable for cleansing and exfoliating skin treatments.
  • They help us keep our skin soft and perfectly hydrated.

 

by Abdullah Sam
I’m a teacher, researcher and writer. I write about study subjects to improve the learning of college and university students. I write top Quality study notes Mostly, Tech, Games, Education, And Solutions/Tips and Tricks. I am a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.

Leave a Comment