Public entertainment was very important in Rome. Along with the grain dole, public entertainment was the main way that ambitious politicians and emperors ensured they had the support of the people.
The public baths furnace
palaestra changing rooms In this
topic, you will learn about:
The public baths
Chariot racing in the Circus Maximus Roman theatre
Gladiatorial games in the amphitheatres
tepidarium caldarium Roman baths frigidarium
Every Roman town had public baths. Bathing was very important to the Romans. Most homes did not have running water, so it was the easiest way to stay clean. The baths were also a social place where people met friends, did business and exchanged news. The largest baths in every town were free to use for citizens.
A typical visit to the baths would involve each of the three main rooms: the tepidarium (the medium heat room); the caldarium (the hot room, much like a sauna); and the frigidarium (the cold water bath). Visitors rubbed oil into their skin, worked up a sweat in the caldarium and then used a wooden strigil to scrape their skin, removing dry skin and dirt along with the oil. There was also an exercise yard (the palaestra) and rooms where a massage or food was available. Most baths had separate areas for men and women, though smaller ones just had separate bathing times.
