Three Types of Roman Baths

Roman baths were not at all like the baths in private houses today.

In the Roman Empire, communal activities were highly valued. Chief among these was the tradition of going to the Roman baths, where people could bathe, relax and socialize amongst each other, often cutting through strict class boundaries. While today we call these establishments baths, they were in fact closer to a modern-day sauna or spa, allowing for luxurious relaxation. Three types of baths were common and important to Roman society.

The Tradition of Bathing

Going to the baths was a daily tradition for men of many classes, as well as many women. These baths ensure hygiene while providing a community-center outlet for discussion and socializing. Some baths even incorporated features like libraries or lecture halls to encourage this aspect of bathing. Overall, they served as an important, if not the most important, part of daily life for the ancient Romans.

Private Baths

Wealthier Romans often had their own private baths, whether in their houses in town or, more commonly, in their country homes. This would involve heating several rooms or even an entire building. However, even those with their own bathhouses might frequent the public baths from time to time. Others opened "balneae," or small bathhouses, which were privately owned by still accessible to each member of the population regardless of class, usually for a small fee.

Men's Baths

Men usually finished work by noon, as the Roman workday started as soon as the sun rose. In the afternoons, men went to the baths and would spend several hours there. Bathhouses were usually reserved for men from around 2 p.m. until sundown or even later. Men would go to the baths with their servants if they were wealthy enough to own them, entering the dressing rooms and having their servants hold their clothes and looking after their belongings. Though it is not known for certain, Roman men most likely did not bathe in the nude, but may have worn some kind of light clothing while in the baths. They had to wear sandals with thick soles to protect their feet from the floors, which could often become hot.

Women's Baths

Women and men did not bathe together as a rule, though it is possible that some did despite regulations to the contrary. Usually, the bath houses were open to women in the mornings, when the women paid twice as much as men to attend. Nevertheless, the baths were still an important ritual for women, who used them almost as much as Roman men did. Unlike the men, women were usually escorted to and from the entry to the changing rooms before going to warmer rooms and the baths.

References

• Beauty and the Bath: Ancient Roman Baths
• Vroma: Baths