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The Public Baths
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Romans enjoyed going to the baths. The baths were cheap to enter, so both rich and poor could afford to go often. Those who could spare the time went every day. Men and women bathed in separate rooms because mixed bathing was not allowed.
People did not go to the baths just to get clean. The baths were a place to meet friends and gossip, gamble or play games. You could have a massage or go for a swim. Some baths had restaurants and even libraries.
(A) HOT ROOM
The heat and steam made bathers sweat, getting rid of dirt in the pores of their skin.
(B) STEAM BATH
Furnaces boiled pools of water to fill the hot room with steam.
(C) WARM ROOM
Before entering the hot room, bathers went to the warm room to get used to the heat.
(D) COLD ROOM
Bathers went to the cold room last of all. Here they had a quick dip in a pool of cold water to give the skin a final rinse.
(E) EXERCISE AND GAMING AREA
Before going home, bathers liked to sunbathe and chat with their friends. Some also did athletic exercises.
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Previous:
Back
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Book:
The Romans
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Section:
The Romans
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Chapter:
The Public Baths
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