Bath in Ancient Rome: a unique heritage of a great empire

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development architecture of Rome has always been closely linked to the very course of history.In the early Roman city built a chaotic and disorderly, had no overall plan.Primitive houses scattered along the narrow, winding streets of the city were characteristic of the shape of the great city.Large, monumental buildings, with which we are so accustomed to associate the city were only temples and houses of the nobility.

When Rome began to build its majestic history, at the same time increased and the beauty of the "eternal city".By the beginning of the reign of Octavian Augustus the city was submerged in multiple problems, the people were exhausted by long years of turmoil and power struggles.Taking into account this fact, Augustus took over the construction of a new image of Rome, which was to include not only the monumental temple complexes, and numerous places of entertainment, recreation of citizens.This case is the Roman emperor instructed his closest ally - Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.Indeed, the fruit of his work began to talk of the town: it's updated water system of the city, and numerous fountains and grand arches.However, the main room was the brainchild of Agrippa in ancient Rome.

established a tradition of bath culture in the city, Agrippa must have no idea how they will become popular among the nobility and the Roman society.Evidence of this is the construction of many new such facilities in the subsequent periods of history.Soon the Roman baths (baths) began to emerge, and here and there like mushrooms after the rain.They were built in the period of Titus, Nero, Trajan, Caracalla, Diocletian and other emperors.

Soon bath in ancient Rome gained high popularity.Baths began to grow around the city, there were at public schools in wealthy homes.They washed a good half of Rome.Baths were not only a place for bathing, they became the center of social life of the city.Some of them housed more than 2,000 people, and it is here that people sat down after bathing to talk, someone prefers walking in the park, some were immersed in reading in libraries equipped here.In short, the terms served a place not only for hygiene but also become centers of rest of the townspeople.

Some scholars are of the opinion that the bath in ancient Rome was the best good of those that have managed to make the emperors for its people.But we should not forget that they were not only a place of rest, but also beautiful works of art.As a rule, the baths were located near a park for recreation or sports grounds.From the locker room, decorated with beautiful decoration, the visitor enters the room with a domed ceiling and brightly painted walls.From the locker room and you can get there in a different room - a kind of prototype of our steam room.However, this served as a steam room Caldara - rooms with wet steam and heated walls and floors, immediately there is a fountain and to wash utensils.

bath in ancient Rome became the center of luxury and splendor.Marble, silver, gold, precious stones - all this was its essential attribute.

Thus, Roman baths were not only a means of hygiene, but also became a symbol of the greatness of Rome.Also, over time, they became the center of social and political life of a great empire.