The Baths Of Caracalla In Rome

The Baths of Caracalla, situated in Rome, was commissioned by Septimius Severus for his son Caracalla, who was emperor at the time. It was built at around 212-216 AD, and was inaugurated by Severus in 216 AD. It was considered as one of the largest and grandest baths in Rome, with dimensions of approximately 412 by 393 metres. Like most baths, the thermae Caracallae was built not only as a physical complex but also as a social gathering. Bathers, male or female, would engage in physical activity outside on the palaestra, which was the outdoor exercise area. Then as they finished exercising they would move on inside the baths, using a three-step, hot-to-cold process. The immense structure of the baths allowed for a large number of facilities
inside, such as libraries, restaurants and even brothels. Because of its large size, an average day at the baths would boast at least 2,000 visitors. It even held a stadium that showed bathers plays and performances. The thermae was used until the siege of Rome in the 6th century by the Ostrogoths. Because the Ostrogoths cut off the aqueducts, the baths became inoperable. Thus, it fell largely to ruin. Nowadays, it is the venue for the Rome Opera Company during the summer months as well as the venue for many operatic concerts.
The bathing block of the whole thermae was independent from the other facilities, and was 220 metres long and 114 metres wide.
The natatio was 54 metres wide and 23 metres long. The swimming pool led to the frigidarium which was 59 metres in width and 24 metres in length, with a height of 41 m. The frigidarium had two pools on the north and south side, which linked the cold room to the natatio and the tepidarium. The tepidarium was a much smaller room and only served as a connection to the hottest room, the caldarium. The caldarium was a circular room, which was inspired by the Pantheon. Like the circular dome of the Pantheon, the caldarium was also built with a dome (cupola). The circular room was 35 metres in diameter, and was 44 metres tall. Exquisite gardens (xystus) that reflect the wealth and decadence of the Roman Empire surrounded the bathing complex, and the outdoor exercise area that also enclosed the bathing block was 400 meters wide and 328 meters long. Along the outside wall were numerous halls, some circular in shape. These exedrae served as meeting places for the bathers and offered a good view of the thermae’s extravagant gardens. The main materials used were Roman pozzolana (volcanic sand) mixed with quick lime to create Roman concrete. Marble was also used as a construction material as well as for decoration. Brick was also heavily used as an exterior skeleton of the base structure together with concrete. The water in the baths was provided by the aqua Nova Antoniniana aqueduct –named after Caracalla- which had its supply from another, more important aqueduct, the aqua Marcia. The baths’ water source came from a spring nearby, and thus the aqueducts were constructed to provide a continuous stream of water to the
thermae.