28. Baths

Cutaway model of a typical Roman baths. There were separate rooms for men and women. After undressing (left), you entered the centrally-heated tepidarium (centre), where bathers were encouraged to sweat. You moved into the caldarium, and immersed yourself in a tub of hot water. You then took a cold plunge in the frigidarium. The water was heated by furnaces (far right) and circulated by means of cisterns and pipes. (Saalberg Museum: Barbara McManus)