Roman Baths, Beirut: Difference between revisions
Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
==History== |
==History== |
||
The ''Roman'' bathhouse was a meeting place for all citizens. Roman Berytus had four major bath complexes ([[thermae]]). The bather moved from warm to hot baths, through rooms of varying temperatures. Located under the floor, the heating system ([[hypocaust]]) allowed air that was warmed by wood fires in adjacent vaults to circulate between pillars of terra-cotta disks heating the marble floor. The terra-cotta pipes in the walls allowed the air to flow and rise up to the ceiling. Water from the boiler fed the marble-tiled pools in the hot room ([[caldarium]]) and a large stone basin ([[labium]]) contained cool water for the bathers to use. The bathing routine typically ended with a body massage of therapeutic oils. The vaulted and spacious halls of the bathhouse also accommodated performances of jesters and musicians. Today, the location of the Roman Baths is occasionally used as a performance space, reflecting the ancient traditions of the site. The modern garden also contains a variety of medicinal plants once used in bathing balms. |
The ''Roman'' bathhouse was a meeting place for all citizens. Roman Berytus had four major bath complexes ([[thermae]]). The bather moved from warm to hot baths, through rooms of varying temperatures. Located under the floor, the heating system ([[hypocaust]]) allowed air that was warmed by wood fires in adjacent vaults to circulate between pillars of terra-cotta disks heating the marble floor. The terra-cotta pipes in the walls allowed the air to flow and rise up to the ceiling. Water from the boiler fed the marble-tiled pools in the hot room ([[caldarium]]) and a large stone basin ([[labium]]) contained cool water for the bathers to use. The bathing routine typically ended with a body massage of therapeutic oils. The vaulted and spacious halls of the bathhouse also accommodated performances of jesters and musicians. Today, the location of the Roman Baths is occasionally used as a performance space, reflecting the ancient traditions of the site. The modern garden also contains a variety of [[medicinal plants]] once used in bathing balms. |
||
==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 06:40, 13 August 2015
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Roman Baths, located in the heart of downtown Beirut, Lebanon.
Overview
Roman Berytus had four major bath complexes. The archaeological ruins of one bath complex have been preserved and are occasionally used as a performance space, thus reflecting the ancient traditions of the site.[1]
History
The Roman bathhouse was a meeting place for all citizens. Roman Berytus had four major bath complexes (thermae). The bather moved from warm to hot baths, through rooms of varying temperatures. Located under the floor, the heating system (hypocaust) allowed air that was warmed by wood fires in adjacent vaults to circulate between pillars of terra-cotta disks heating the marble floor. The terra-cotta pipes in the walls allowed the air to flow and rise up to the ceiling. Water from the boiler fed the marble-tiled pools in the hot room (caldarium) and a large stone basin (labium) contained cool water for the bathers to use. The bathing routine typically ended with a body massage of therapeutic oils. The vaulted and spacious halls of the bathhouse also accommodated performances of jesters and musicians. Today, the location of the Roman Baths is occasionally used as a performance space, reflecting the ancient traditions of the site. The modern garden also contains a variety of medicinal plants once used in bathing balms.
See also
- Roman Baths (Bath)
- Roman Berytus
- Hypocaust
- Caldarium
- Labrum
- Serail Hill
- Cisterns of the Roman Baths, Beirut
References
- ^ Linda Jones Hall, Roman Berytus: Beirut in Late Antiquity, Psychology Press, 2004
{{Mouterde, René et Lauffray, Jean (1952) Beyrouth ville romaine, Publications de la Direction des Antiquités du Liban, Beyrouth.
Lauffray, Jean (1977) « Beyrouth. Archéologie et Historie, époques gréco-romaines. I. Période hellénistique et Haut-Empire romain", Aufstieg und Niedergang der Romischen Welt. II.8 : 135-163, Wallter de Gruyter, Berlin.}}