Baths of Caracalla, Rome Italy, 212-218A.D.

Name: Xiaoyu Zeng

ARCH161 – M21 LEC(2587)

Baths of Caracalla, Rome Italy, 212-218A.D.

Ancient Roman, Thermae

Architect:  The idea for the baths were drawn up by Septimius Severus

Introduction:

The Baths of Caracalla were the second largest Roman public baths. It was in Rome, Italy. This building is among the most monumental and imposing archeological complexes of the entire Imperial epoch. The reign of Caracalla donned an age of cruelty absent from Imperial Rome since perhaps the emperor Domitian or Nero in the second century. Surviving busts of Caracalla portray a scowling and determined man capable of great evil. Indeed, he killed his younger brother to secure his throne. Despite however his personal deficiencies, Caracalla proved to be an apt administrator.

Since the Baths of Trajan had been constructed three hundred years earlier, the Thermae Antoninianae (Baths of Caracalla) were the first great public baths. Begun in AD 211 (probably by Septimius Severus, who died that year) and dedicated in AD 216 (Aurelius Victor, XXI), Elagabalus added the peribolus or enclosed court (Historia Augusta, XVII.8-9) that was completed by Alexander Severus (Historia Augusta, XXV.6). Aurelius Victor relates that there were "beautiful fittings" and, indeed, the Belvedere Torso and mosaics of athletes (Vatican Museums), the massive Farnese Bull and Farnese Hercules (Museo Nazionale Archeologico, Naples) all were found there. More prosaically, two large granite basins now serve as fountains in the Piazza Farnese (Rome). According to Olympiodorus (epitomized by Photius, Bibliotheca, LXXX), the soaring ruins once had polished marble seats for 1600 bathers. The baths were in use until the aqueducts that fed them were cut by Genseric the Vandal in AD 537.

The baths remained in use until the 6^th century when the complex was taken by the Ostrogoths during the Gothic War, at which time the hydraulic installations were destroyed. It also was free and open to the public.

Layout:

There were three main bath chambers: the frigidarium, or cold room; the caldarium, or hot room; and the tepidarium, or lukewarm room. Between the frigidarium and the tepidarium was the great hall, roofed by an enormous vault with clerestory windows, a prototype of the vaulted naves of medieval churches. There were also large open-air swimming pools. Marble was used lavishly, and sculpture, mosaics, frescoes, and other decorations ornamented the interior.

Plan: 

Section

the chief Hall of the Baths of Caracalla.

Now:

The Baths of Caracalla are now the site of summertime open-air performances of ballet and opera, including works that employ spectacularly large casts, such as Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida and Georges Bizet’s Carmen.

Reference:

1. Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baths_of_Caracalla

2. http://www.rome.info/ancient/baths-of-caracalla/

3. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Baths-of-Caracalla