Classical Studies 2300 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Gladiator, Mimus, Frigidarium

• School: Western University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: Classical Studies 2300
• Professor: Charles Stocking

Document Summary

Classics lecture 12- the roman stage, and bathing continued. Grandiose thermae, built south of the circus maximus. Built 212-216 ce, very quickly for such a monumental structure, built by slaves and made out of concrete. An aqueduct was also built specifically to serve this new building. The baths are remarkably well-preserved and their arrangement is clear. The bathing block is surrounded by gardens bordered colonnaded walkways on three sides. The bathing block was reached by a monumental stairway, but is no longer present. Even by todays standards the size of the baths is impressive; the main building is 390 x 740 feet, roughly about two and a half football fields. It could accommodate several thousand bathers at once. Had seven heated pools set in arched niches in the wall, lit by windows. And perhaps decorated with a gilded bronze ceiling. Decorations: although little remains in place today, the baths were lavishly decorated, many subtleties or design are lost.