Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 3 The Baths of Caracalla

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 3 The Baths of Caracalla

 

The Baths, or Thermae, of Caracalla, were built between 211 and 217 A.D., and had accommodation for 1600 bathers. The base on which the main buildings were built, was 20 feet high and measured 1100 feet square. Under this were the furnaces and hot-air ducts for heating the buildings. The area contained not only a stadium but also places for wrestling and games, and drama and lecture halls. The main Thermae contained a 'tepidarium' (warm room), 'calidarium' (hot room) and a 'frigidarium' (cold room) very similar to a modern Turkish bath. All this was heavily decorated with mosaics and painted frescoes.