The thermal baths (in Latin thermae, of the Greek thermos flask, heat) were establishments of hot public baths of Rome Antique. Inaugurated with Rome under the Roman Emperor Caracalla (211-217) in 216 a. J-C, the thermal baths of Caracalla , or Thermae Antoninianae , are largest and the most luxurious thermal complex carried out hitherto, even if it is exceeded thereafter. In addition to the equipment relating to the baths directly, this complex proposed varied activities, which explains its gigantic size. A surface of more than 10 ha, place for 1600 bathers, 64 cisterns of 80.000 liters each one, they are some of the remarkable characteristics of the Thermal baths of Caracalla. It is today the thermal building best preserved imperial time. The ruins which still live Rome strike by their colossal aspect.
Dates of construction
The construction of these thermal baths in the prolongation of the hill of the Aventin, between Via Nova parallel with Via Appia and it Via Ardeatina, began at the end from the reign from Septime Sévère (193-211). It was prolonged under Caracalla until 216. A little later, two other emperors completed construction with the external enclosure of it: Héliogabale (218-222) added gantries which were supplemented later by Alexandre Sévère (222-235). The project superintendent of this building is not known.
Buildings
Overall plan
The design of the Thermal baths of Caracalla takes again the model of the Thermes of Trajan, complex thermal one century between 104 and 109 builds earlier. According to a rigorously symmetrical plan, the building is composed of a central body intended for the baths framed by an almost square enclosure.Ranging between the two Peristyle S of the enclosure, the thermal baths are integrated in a vast unit also including/understanding a large esplanade, or peribolus. This two whole of buildings is surrounded by gardens for the walk, fountains and benches.
The orientation of the thermal baths is calculated to obtain the best position compared to the sun, as it was besides the case for all the Roman thermal baths.
The enclosure
The enclosure forms an almost square terrace (337m on overall 328m), and delimits a space of approximately 110.000m2- the north-eastern side consists of a Portique, preceded by two stages of arched parts (in which shops are, and probably taverns and restaurants).
- In the north-western and south-eastern sides, there is large symmetrical Abside S in which certain rooms were perhaps heated. One finds there each side a nymphaeum , a gymnasia (subsidiary gymnasia) where one warms up before the bath, and of the conference rooms or work. Perhaps certain parts were intended for the massages, the frictions and the perfume for richest.
- In the south-western side is placed the cisterns, and on each side of those the libraries Greek and Latin and of the rooms of public reading.
- Between the cisterns and the thermal building itself, is a stage and long a Exèdre in the form of half stage which comprises some lines of steps. Beyond this wall, the abundant water reserves transported by a Aqueduc are.
The openings are numerous on the enclosure and rare to enter the principal building (austere wall with some openings).
The enclosure is thus presented as a place where all the additional services are distributed not having a relationship with the baths. The baths were not only one place where one washed oneself, it was a community center with multiple vocations.
The central building
The thermal building forms a rather compact rectangle, widened of a half-circle formed by the rotunda of the caldarium . It is not placed in the exact center of the enclosure, but is shifted, near to the northern peristyle, thus sparing a vast court-garden on the southern part. It is organized around a north-eastern/south-western central axis formed by the row of the swimming pool ( natatio ), of the Frigidarium , the Tepidarium and the Caldarium . A second axis perpendicular to the precedent is articulated on the Frigidarium flanked of two Palestre S. This provision in cross is supplemented by rooms of service or circulation (halls of entry, cloakrooms, etc) to constitute a body of compact building. Thus, all the rooms radiate around the central Frigidarium , which allows the easy circulation of the users.Dimensions : The thermal building measures 214m length, for 110m of depth, caldarium not included/understood. The Frigidarium , true Nef with three vaults supported by eight pillars measured 58 m out of 24 Mr. The Caldarium formed a circle 34 m in diameter, with half enchased in the building. Its eight pillars supported a cupola an evaluated height with 45 Mr. The natatio by its 53m length can compete with the modern swimming pools of competition.
Each essential function of the building is materialized in an architecture which is clean for him. The control of the construction, which is seen in the balance of the plan, the power of the vaults and the size of the proportions took part in the conservation and the success of the building.
Construction: ruins and assumptions
The ruins are in a good state of conservation, except for the completely shaven caldarium ; one recognizes the vast named rooms there exedrae amplissimae where the vault planes was supported by bronze bars. One sees the remainders of the stage there, of the large surrounded court of Portique S; Exèdre S in the shape of hemicycle, for the philosophical discussions; circular rooms for the hot baths ( caldaria ). It would seem that all voûtement caldarium is done of a metal frame drowned in the masonry of a flattened Coupole.
The walls are high (more than 20 m) and form solid masses of particularly imposing Béton. They are thick to avoid the influence of the outside temperatures, and to support the push of the vaults. They in Opus caementicium (hardcores drowned in a mortar makes of a mixture of lime and various products, called aggregates) and are covered with facings in brick S reds. Load-bearing walls between the frigidarium and the swimming pool, zone not - glaze and thus deprived of a roof capable of contrebuter the vault of the frigidarium is reinforced and constitutes true Contrefort S.
Several styles of roofs are possible: dishes, with double slope, dogs sitting, cupola or half-cupola. The roofs are in tiles ( Tegula E ) except in the room of the caldarium , covered with a cupola.
It is the use of brick, light material, of the concrete and the groined vault which made it possible to build and to cover such vast buildings. In August 2005, the archeologists found the place of manufacture of bricks employed for the construction of the Roman monuments most prestigious (Colisé, the Pantheon, thermal baths of Caracalla…). It is localized in Mugnano, to 80 km in the north of Rome. The factory was that of Tullus Domitius and its Lucanus brother, whose characteristic mark is found on bricks left their workshops.
According to Large Pierre, specialist in ancient architecture, the building site was probably organized in large terraces: the embankments, which are necessary to equalize the inclined ground, were used systematically. During the construction of the walls, the level of the reported ground also rose him to the vaults: this makes it possible to include/understand the absence of holes of putlog-holes in the walls until approximately 20m above the ground; one thus obtained for the installation of the couvrements a solid plan of building site which avoided the perilous one and expensive scaffolding; one evacuated then the equipment, materials and necessary tools with the operation by the vast openings under arcade or cupola, before even carrying out the elimination of the embankments. Lastly, the essence of the work of completion organized top downwards while following the lowering of the quay level.
These methods, simple but effective, explain why a few years were enough to raise of such masses.
Interior decoration
Decoration and material
The thermal baths are also esthetic buildings. From the point of view of decoration, the building was completed by the last two emperors of the dynasty of the Sévères, Élagabal and Alexandre Sévère. With a very sober appearance, these thermal baths were richly decorated inside. Excavations were undertaken on this site as of the 16th century by the cardinal Farnèse during the construction of its palate. At the 19th century, one discovered splendid statues, basins, mosaics, columns and capitals.One can look at the thermal baths like constructions in which the Romans, victorious of the world and enriched by the skins of almost all the people of the universe, deployed the most luxury and of magnificence. The masterpieces of all arts contributed to the embellishment of these places; it is known that the Groupe of Laocoon was discovered in the Thermes of Titus, and that ruins of the thermal baths of Caracalla left famous works. The principal living rooms were covered with marble decorated with gilded bronze. The walls were covered with marble of color and the ceilings were probably decorated with paintings; the paving stone of almost all the rooms was decorated mosaics, the basins and the palestres were decorated with statues and frescos; finally certain bath-tubs were dug in the Marbre the S most invaluable, the others being carried out in Basalte, in Granite, porphyry and Albâtre. With the thermal baths of Caracalla one did not count less than thousand six hundred marble seats.
Sculptor
Excavations at various times put at the day of many works of art, especially at the time of the pope Paul III Farnèse (1534-1549):- the famous group of the Bull Farnèse representing the torment of Dircé, bound by Amphion and Zéthos to a bull to be avenged for the insult whose their Antiope mother had been victim;
- the colossal statue of Hercules, carried out by the Glycon Athenian largely inspired by a Greek work of Lysippe. Hercules is represented there resting on his bludgeon covered partly with the skin of the lion, and it holds with the hand apples of the garden of Hespérides.
- Flora Farnèse, work inspired by the school attic of 4th front S. JC. (copy?)
- the chest of the View-point, chief of work of the Greek Apollonios
- Manderscheid thinks that a monumental Nymphée was in the north-western wall of the natatio
- a Venus,
- a Bacchante,
- a group of Atrée and Thyeste
- a Hermaphrodite
- a Minerve
- some busts of the Sévères.
Gallery (to click to increase)
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