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   Roman Baths and Aqueducts                                             

PAGE DEVELOPED BY: Lisa Holling     2007.


What?


   Unlike in society today bathing in Rome was both  private and public. Public bathing was very common and done in bath complexes, these would be similar to today's health clubs or spas (although they were not expensive). People could go to the complexes not only for bathing, but also for recreation and sports. These complexes also featured lecture halls, libraries, gyms and gardens. The complexes covered many city blocks, and were owned by the state. The large baths in the complexes were called thermae.

   Aqueducts were used in Ancient Rome to transport water from reservoirs to other reservoirs or places that needed it, like the bathing complexes. 

 


 Key Definitions / Terms


•Aqueducts:

a. A pipe or channel designed to transport water from a remote source, usually by gravity.

b. A bridge like structure supporting a conduit or canal passing over a river or low ground.

 


 Historical Significance
  

   Aqueducts were important to the history of Rome because it was the most efficient way of transporting water throughout the area. The Roman baths were not only for bathing purposes, but they were also places where people would go to socialize. There were also small shops in the complexes, which made the bathing complexes one of the popular spots for Romans to go for daily entertainment and fun.   


Interesting Facts


 • 640 kilometres of aqueducts were used to supply Rome with water. 

•Rome's aqueducts were dispersing about 297,795,871 gallons of water every day by the time of 226 AD.

These two pictures above are of the Roman baths that would be in the center of the complexes. 

A Typical Roman Bath Complex, ca. 100 CE.

 

Related Links:
•http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/staff/DarleneBishop/rome/RomanBaths.html
 •http://www.dl.ket.org/latin2/mores/baths/history/page01.htm
•http://www.inforoma.it/feature.phplookup=aqueduct


Related Articles:
•http://www.inforoma.it/feature.phplookup=aqueduct
•http://www.timetravelbritain.com/05/April/romanbaths.shtml
 

The both pictures above are of the ancient Roman aqueducts. 

 

The aqueduct system.

 

 

Bibliography 

Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. Aqueducts. 2007. 8 May 2007 <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aqueducts>.

McManus, Barbara F. ROMAN BATHS AND BATHING. July 2003. 8 May 2007 <http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/baths.html>.

O'Regan, K.. Ancient Roman Technology. 1997. 9 May 2007 <http://www.htansw.asn.au/teach/Web%20Lessons/romanbuildingfiles/yr_7_roman_builbing.htm>.

Yahoo Geocities. Aqueducts. 2006. 9 May 2007 <http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Stage/3591/aquaducts.html>.

 

 

   REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. Bathing in Roman society was...
    1. Public
    2. Private
    3. Both public and private




  2. How many gallons per day were dispersed by the aqueducts?
    1. 297,795,871
    2. 123,456,789
    3. 478,592,029
    4. 543,798,007


  3. How many kilometres of aqueducts were used to supply Rome with water? 
    1. 1040 Kilometres
    2. 460 Kilometres
    3. 640 Kilometres
    4. 700 Kilometres



  4.   Aqueducts are important to the history of Rome because...
     


    1. they were examples of their amazing architecture.
    2. they were the most efficient way of transporting water throughout the area.
    3. many people came from all around to look at the the magnificent structures.
    4. there are very few of them left today in the Rome.


     

    5.  Bathing complexes were very popular among Romans because...

     


    1. the bathing complexes were free for everyone.
    2. it was the only place that people could bathe.
    3. there were many different activities to do there, with shops, and recreation areas.
    4. it was where many people met their soul mates.