Public BathroomsBy: Chay Whyte

Design They spent vast amounts

of money on an elaborate system public baths in both Rome and it’s colonies

These buildings were magnificent buildings that function as community centers

The buildings had rooms for men, women, gardens, libraries etc.

No Privacy Bathing played a major

part in ancient Roman culture and society

The romans considered public bathing an event

Though many contemporary cultures see bathing as a very private activity conducted in the home, bathing in Rome was a communal activity.

The Process Bathing was done in stages A bather might first enter a

cold bath then move on to a lukewarm bath, and finally a steaming hot bath

sometimes the order would be reversed

The romans would scrub themselves with bronze brushes with metal teeth

Those who could afford this would get massages

So Much More The bathhouse was more

than just a place to wash.  It was kind of like what shopping malls are today.

  It was a place to meet friends, a place where you could get something to eat, a place to workout, even a place to read the days news. 

You could even get your hair cut and styled.

Criticism While the baths were

enjoyed by almost every Roman, there were those who criticized them.

The water was not renewed often and the remains of oil, dirt or even excrement were kept warm, providing a milieu for bacteria

It was a commonplace that wine, sex and baths are bad for the body but pleasurable.

Questions What did some bathhouses look like It was kind of like what shopping malls

are today.

Sources http

://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Roman_bathing