Reconstructing The Roman Baths of Bath, England

by Angela Graebert

       Today, it is considered proper hygiene to take a bath on a daily basis. Bathing usually takes place in a private bathtub or in a shower at home. Also, if a person has fallen ill, the afflicted may seek advice from a family member, research the illness, or most likely, make a visit to a doctor. These practices were not heard of when the Celts, Saxons, Normans, and most notably, the Romans inhabited the island of Britain. The ancient Romans relied upon their public bathing houses for cleanliness and healing. They also made these baths centers of entertainment and sites for worship, where they served tasty foods and alcoholic drinks.

       In 33 B.C. during Augustus' reign, Rome had only 170 bathing houses ("The History of Plumbing"). But as visits to the baths became a necessary part of life, more and more bathhouses began to be built in the surrounding areas. By A. D., 300 the number of baths had increased to 937. Some baths were relatively small and could hold only 300 people, while larger baths could hold 1,500 and sometimes as many as 3,000 persons.

     Despite the great number of baths, there are three main bathhouses from antiquity that surpassed all others: the baths of Caracalla, in Rome, the baths of Diocletian, in Rome, and the Roman baths in Bath, England. The baths of Caracalla could seat over 1,600 visitors and took up almost 28 acres of land ("The History of Plumbing"). The baths of Diocletian were even grander. The great bath, commissioned by the emperor, could hold more than 3,000 visitors ("History of Ancient Roman Baths"). Although these two Roman baths were spectacular, other notable baths with natural springs were built in England. It will be shown that the baths, which give the city of Bath its name, while far from Rome, were prized for the hot springs and were distinctly Roman in design.

       Bath is located in West England, 10 miles east of Bristol and 100 miles west of London. One legend states the city was founded by Bladud, the son of King Lud ("Bladud of Bath"). According to the legend, Bladud was exiled from his hometown for being a leper before he became a king. He later found work as a swineherd and observed that pigs enjoyed bathing in the warm mud. Supposedly, Bladud attempted to cure his leprosy by bathing in the mud as the pigs did. He was successful and returned home to claim the throne that belonged to him. Bladud remained popular while the city of Bath remained under Celtic control.

     In A.D., 43 the Celts were conquered by the Romans. The Romans changed the name of the city to Aquae Sulis because they worshipped the goddess Sulis Minerva (Sullivan). The name Sulis for a female fertility goddess came from the Celtic inhabitants of the land, and the name Minerva came from the Romans. The popularity of Sulis Minerva attests to the merging of Celtic and Roman forms.  

      In the late 6th century the Romans lost control of Bath to the Saxons after the Battle of Dyrham. The Saxons and their pagan religion prevailed until the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Normans built a cathedral and monastery and brought the baths back into use. However, over time, the baths again fell into ruin.

      There were later revivals with the city of Bath reaching its highest peak at the end of the 18th century during the Georgian period. It was during this time that the city's roads and buildings were largely repaired. The baths were maintained throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and can be visited today. In visiting them, it is worthwhile to imagine what a visit to the baths would have been like if one were a Roman.

       A Roman Briton arriving at a bath around 10:30 a.m. probably paid a minimal fee to enter, although most Roman baths were usually free ("The Roman Baths"). The purpose of this fee was to keep the poor and the slaves from being able to use the bathhouses. The first main stop upon arriving at a bath would be the palestra . This is where the ancient Britons participated in exercises and activities. Ball games, weight lifting, wrestling, boxing, bowling, and board games are a few of the most popular activities in which the Roman Britons would participate. Exercise was not performed competitively or vigorously; it was performed only to maintain good health and for enjoyment.

       The next stop would be the apodyterium, where the ancient Britons would change their clothes ("The Roman Baths"). The apodyterium was similar to a modern day locker room. This room contained many shelves and cubbyholes where a visitor to the bath could store his belongings ("History of Ancient Roman Baths"). Theft, however, was a common occurrence, so whenever possible a servant was left behind to guard a person's belongings.

   Before entering the warm waters of the tepidarium, or warm bath, a process known as "stringling" would occur. A person would apply oil to his entire body, which would loosen dirt and sweat from the pores. Curved metal tools were then used to wipe the oil from the body. If one wanted a massage, it would take place at this time. A long soak in warm water would prepare the bather for the remainder of their bath.

       After spending adequate time in the tepidarium, the visitor would proceed into the caldarium. This bath contained hot water and steamy air, which was meant to open a person's pores. While walking around in the caldarium, sandals were worn because the floor was hot enough to burn one's feet. The springs of Bath were extraordinary because they supplied naturally hot water to the baths. The water of both the tepidarium and the caldarium remained heated by the rooms below the floor known as the hypocaust or furnace. The furnaces were kept lit by slaves. The last major stop at the baths was the frigidarium. This bath was filled with cold water and was meant to close the pores and refresh the body.

     The bathing process was a very important part of these baths; however, it was not the only purpose for visiting the baths. A day at the bath would not be complete without an abundant amount of food and alcohol. Vendors walked around the baths shouting the items that were for sale: eggs, lettuce, fish, nuts, hog's fat, bread, cutlets and sausage.   Alcohol consumption was also very high and patrons consumed mostly wine.

       Entertainment was also provided. No matter what a person's interest, they would easily be entertained by the large variety of activities. Performances of juggling and gymnastics were very popular and audiences listened to jesters and musicians. Philosophers and poets also delivered readings throughout the day.

       In addition to entertainment, the bathers were surrounded by beautiful artwork. Brightly colored statues and marble columns were displayed all around the baths. Mosaics made of glass covered the floors and the ceilings. Much of this beautiful artwork was later removed to help construct the cathedrals and medieval buildings, but ancient tile mosaic has been excavated and preserved (figure 1).

Figure 1. Mosaic.

     If a little relaxation in the sunshine was desired, the facility included some rooms with unglazed windows where it would be possible to sunbathe. Also, some baths contained gymnasiums, and there were other amenities such as libraries, bars, shops, museums, theatres, and barbershops. It appears that a visit to the baths in antiquity would be nothing less than luxurious. Although one cannot bathe in the baths today, a visit to the renovated area is an exciting and interesting experience. A visit allows for a greater appreciation of life in ancient Bath.  

       The modern entrance to the Roman baths provides access to the renovated Pump Room, a facility that dates from the Georgian period. Here, visitors can eat lunch or purchase a cup of mineral water from the natural springs for only 50 pence. In the reception area located near the Pump Room, visitors are asked to pay a small fee of less than £10 and can pick up a "personal audio guide" ("Roman Baths"). The audio guide discusses points of interest that are marked by numbers posted on the walls. The numbers can be selected on the audio guide so that the visitor can listen to the appropriate commentary.  

       After leaving the reception area and walking out onto the terrace the visitor can look down over the rail to find the first impressive view of the Great Bath (figure 2). It is possible to walk completely around the terrace and to view carved statues of historical figures on the railing (figure 3). These sculptures were not part of the original complex. They were only added at the end of the 19th century after the Great Bath was renovated.

Figure 2. View of the Great Bath.

Figure 3. Statues on the Balcony of the Great Bath.

     At the bottom of a flight of stairs, the visitor will see the famous springs that feed the baths. Although five springs provided water for the Roman baths, there was one primary water source: the sacred spring. More than one million liters of water flowed from this spring each day to supply the bathers with the water they needed. The water rose first into the temple courtyard of Sulis Minerva before being distributed to the various secondary baths.

    The base of the main spring was lined with lead and was uncovered. During the second century a classical building with barrel vaulting and columns was constructed over the sacred spring. The structure kept much of the light out, and thus, strengthened the allure of the spring. The site seemed more remote. Statues and columns were added to the site and offerings to Sulis Minerva were tossed into the spring. The building enclosing the spring remained until at least the 6th century when it collapsed and fell into the spring.

       As visitors follow the course of the spring, they will notice objects in glass cases that archaeologists have recovered from the baths. Over 12,000 coins were tossed into the spring as sacred offerings. In addition to that, curses were carved into sheets of lead or pewter and were thrown into the spring. For example, if a person had an item of clothing stolen from the apodyterium, he would write a curse for the person who stole his clothing in hope that the gods would bring him justice.

       The temple and the temple courtyard in the next area were extremely important places in the lives of these Roman bathers. The temple stood two meters above the courtyard and had steps leading up to it. Four columns of the Corinthian order, held up the frieze and pediment. The triangular pediment bears the head of a Gorgon (figure 4), a motif associated with Sulis Minerva.

Figure 4. Temple Pediment.

    During the Roman period, one could enter into the classical temple to view a bronze statue of the goddess, Sulis Minerva (figure 5). Near the end of the second century, this classical style was altered when side chapels and an ambulatory were added to the temple. The temple remained this way until A.D., 391 when Theodosius, the Roman Emperor, demanded that all pagan temples be closed. The temple was, indeed, closed and eventually fell into ruin.

Figure 5. Statue of the Goddess Sulis Minerva.

     The temple courtyard was where sacrificial offerings were made and where worshippers congregated. Altars, belonging to the worshippers, filled the courtyard. The sacred spring could be seen at the south end of the temple courtyard, and another building dedicated to the four seasons was located on the north end of the temple courtyard. This building has obtained its name from the façade of the building that had carvings of the four seasons. The purpose of the four seasons building is unclear. One theory is that a Roman worshipper would spend the night in the four seasons in hope of seeing a vision while asleep ("The Roman Baths: Bath").

       If one continues, the next view would be of the spring. The excess water from the springs that was not needed for the baths flowed into the Roman drain, which was lined with wood, and emptied into the River Avon. In following the spring the visitor comes to the most exciting part of the visit: the Great Bath. At the center of the entire building is the Great Bath, the largest bath of them all: 80' by 40' by 6' (Sullivan). Four steps surround the edge of the bath to lead down into the 1.6 meters of tepid water, at a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The floor of the Great Bath like the sacred spring that fed it was lined with lead (45 sheets to be exact). When the bath was first built, a fountain was located in the middle of the north end that took water from the sacred spring and directed it into the Great Bath. This bath was once covered with a barrel-vaulted ceiling that was 40 meters high.

     More caldariums were added as the bathing houses were expanded well into the 4th century. The heated baths were added to areas that are now referred to as the eastern and western baths. These baths probably allowed men and women to have more privacy ("The Roman Baths:   Bath").  

   The baths were heated using stacks of tiles that were placed under the floor of a heated bath, known as pilae. The pilae allowed for heat to be transferred into the room above. These stacks can clearly be viewed at Bath today (figure 6). With the desire for even greater heat, another special room was developed known as the laconicum. This bath was packed full with heat and may have been similar to a present day sauna.

Figure 6. The Furnace Room.

     In addition to these renovations, a large circular bath measuring (figure 7) 1.6 meters deep was constructed on a grander scales. The round frigidarium was much larger because it was unheated. Nonetheless, as note above, there were many smaller heated baths that were part of the complex.

Figure 7. The Large Frigidarium.

   Although Bath was never a major city in the Roman Empire, its baths were built on a large scale to satisfy the great number of visitors and the permanent residents. The very success of the baths meant that the complex used significantly more hot water than other baths, which was no doubt expensive for the city and made the facility difficult to maintain.    

       The springs survived and continue to provide hot water. A sample can be obtained at the modern gift shop. Here, visitors can purchase a bottle of the healing water from the sacred spring. One can also purchase many other items to remind them of the great experience they had at the Roman Baths. Luckily, for future visitors there is more to come. Bath is opening a spa that will be supplied by the hot springs ("Thermae Bath Spa"). Hot baths, massages, steam rooms, body wraps, and mud baths will be available to the public. A two-hour session at the spa will cost £19, a four-hour session will cost £29, and an all day pass will cost £45. Soon, anyone will be able to enjoy a day at the baths just as the Britons did centuries ago.

Works Cited

"Ancient Roman Baths."

< http://www.crystalinks.com/romebaths.html > (28 May 2004).

"History of Ancient Roman Baths." Kentucky Educational Television: 2004.

<http:// www.dl.ket.org/latin2/mores/baths/history/> (18 May 2004).

"Bladud of Bath."

<http://www.cityofbath.co.uk/history/body_bladud.html> (14 July 2004).

"The History of Plumbing- Roman and English Legacy."

<http://www.theplumber.com/eng.html. 1994> (28 May 2004).

"The Roman Baths: Bath."

<http://www.romanbaths.co.uk. Heritage Services> (18 May 2004).

"The Roman Bath."

<http://www.iol.ie/~coolmine/typ/romans/intro.html> (18 May 2004).

"Secrets of Lost Empires: Roman Bath." NOVA Online Series. PBS: January 2000.

<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/roman/> (18 May 2004).

Sullivan, Mary Ann. "Roman Baths.

<http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/bathbaths/bathbaths.html > (28 May 2004).

"Thermae Bath Spa."

<http://www.thermaebathspa.com> (11 July 2004).

<BACK TO INTRODUCTION & CONTENTS ........NEXT ESSAY>