Technical and cultural history of ancient thermal baths

Babesch volumes - Volume 21

Author: Kreiner R., Letzner W., Frontinus Society

Proceedings of the International Frontinus Symposium Aachen, 18–22 March 2009

The conference proceedings contain 45 contributions on research on and at ancient thermal baths, which have been newly excavated and documented in recent years from the Near East to Western Europe. Given the conference location, a particular focus of the event was on ancient spas. In keeping with an integrated conception of history, researchers from various disciplines present various aspects of ancient bathing: technical aspects, such as the central question of water supply and disposal, or heating. Questions concerning the function and organization of public bathing in antiquity are addressed. The cultural and religious context with regard to the Romanization of the Roman provinces is also considered. The conference theme was explicitly not limited to Roman thermal baths. Thus, early forms of public bathing, as well as the survival of Roman baths and bathing culture in the Western, Byzantine, and Islamic Middle Ages, are also addressed. The concluding contributions, which address the question: How can scientific findings and architectural artifacts be made accessible to a broader audience?