Posted on 08/20/2025 10:10:38 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
The University of Alicante announced that after eight seasons, a team of archaeologists has finished excavations of a vast Roman bath complex at the site of La Alcudia, near the city of Elche in southeastern Spain. The area was home to the Roman colony of Iulia Ilici Augusta, which was built in two phases during the second half of the first century b.c. The colony's foundation was decreed by Julius Caesar prior to his assassination in 44 b.c., and the second building phase was undertaken during the rule of the emperor Augustus (reigned 27 b.c.–a.d. 14), who allocated land there to a contingent of war veterans. Known as the Eastern Baths, the sprawling structure covers almost 14,000 square feet, making it one of the largest Roman baths in the province of Hispania. Besides being equipped with typical Roman bath components, such as cold rooms (frigidaria) and hot rooms (caldaria), the complex also features one of the largest preserved ancient swimming pools (natatio) in Iberia. The buildings contain a set of remarkable mosaics, some of which imitate marble paneling, and others that are decorated with floral motifs. According to the archaeologists, the monumental bath attests to the splendor and prosperity that the city achieved during its height in the second century a.d. To read about a colorful mosaic uncovered in a Roman house, go to "The Medusa of Mérida."
(Excerpt) Read more at archaeology.org ...
Romans must have been an awfully clean bunch..........
Wine and Toga parties! Let’s go!
I think that there wouldn’t have been as many large public baths built in Rome over its heyday had the Roman public not been stinking up the place. It’s probably why the Emperors tended to rule from Capri, Ischia, Ostia, and other places out of the city. 😊
Sire! The peasants are revolting!
Yeah, They stink on ice!...............
Why then did Romans use and enjoy the public baths so much if the water was commonly nasty and clouded? For ordinary citizens, the baths were better than nothing, especially if one got in when the water was fresh and hot enough to ease aches and pains. Moreover, the baths were a communal meeting place, while the better public baths also offered massages, food, and other services. One could also attend lectures and meetings and conduct business in adjoining rooms.
For Rome's imperial rulers, the construction and operation of public baths made for large works projects that employed thousands of people and gave ordinary citizens a sense of luxury. This helped to alleviate popular grievances at Rome's stunning inequalities of wealth and built loyalty to the emperor. Rome survived for centuries on a formula of free grain, free circuses and gladiatorial combats, and hot baths. All backed of course by highly capable legions and an efficient system of conquest and taxation.
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