thermae

Before a Roman could enter the Baths, they first would pay an admission fee to the ostiarius (doorkeeper) and then head to the palaestra.

palaestra

palaestra

• The palaestra is an open space surronded by a colonnade.
• This is where the Romans would take some time to greet friends and participate in some of the popular exercises such as: throwing a large ball, wrestling, and fencing with wooden swords

apodyterium

apodyterium

• From the palaestra, the Romans would then walk along a passage into a large hall known as the apodyterium, or changing-room.
• This is where they removed all their clothes and handed them over to one of the slave attendants, who would then place them in one of the niches arranged in rows along the wall

tepidarium

tepidarium

• After leaving the apodyterium, they would pass through an arched doorway into the tepidarium, known as the warm room.
• Here they would spend some time sitting on the benches, perspiring gently to get their bodies prepared for the higher temperatures of the next room

caldarium

caldarium

• The hot room, at one end, had a large marble bath that stretched across the whole width of the room.
• This bath was filled with hot water where the Romans sat or wallowed.

AFter the bath

• The Romans would then summon a slave and have them pour oil onto their skin.
• Next, they would use strigils, to scrap away the oil and any impurities.
• After that, the masseur would come to massage the skin and muscles.
• Finally, the Romans would then go on to take a dip in the cold water.

frigidarium

frigidarium

• Before getting dressed, the Romans would visit the frigidarium and take a plunge in the deep circular pool of cold water.

Works Cited
"Stage 9: Thermae." Cambridge Latin Course: Unit 1. Cambridge: Cambridge UP for the Schools Council, 1982. 146-49. Print.