Latin History

Roman Baths, Bath

The Roman Baths are a well-preserved ancient sacred site and popular tourist attraction in the English city of Bath.
History of the Roman Baths

The first shrine at the site of the springs was built by Celts, and dedicated to the goddess Sulis. After the Roman invasion, Sulis was identified with the Roman goddess Minerva, but the name Sulis continued to be used. This led to the town's ancient Roman name of Aquae Sulis ("waters of Sulis"). During the Roman occupation of Britain, increasingly grand temples and bathing complexes were built. The bath complex in Bath was founded in 75 AD.

After the Roman withdrawal the baths fell into disrepair and were eventually lost due to silting up. When bathing again became fashionable in England, the site was reopened. The magnificent Georgian building now standing was erected at the end of the 18th century.

The ancient Roman Baths were rediscovered and excavated in the late 18th century. As well as being an important archaeological find, they have from that time to the present been one of the city's main attractions.
Exploring the Roman Baths

The spring water of the ancient Roman Baths is unsafe for bathing because it has passed through the still-functioning lead pipes constructed by the Romans. However, the luxurious Thermae Spa, whichopened in September 2004, allows modern-day bathers to experience the waters for themselves.

The Roman Baths are below the modern street level in Bath. The museum has four main features: the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman bath house and finds from Roman Bath.

The fundamental part of the Roman Baths is the sacred spring. Hot water at a temperature of 460°C rises here at the rate of 1,170,000 liters (240,000 gallons) every day and has been doing so for thousands of years. In ancient times, this remarkable phenomenon was believed to be the work of the gods. Accordingly, a great Temple dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva was built next to the spring. The healing powers of the goddess and the mineral-rich water from the spring attracted visitors from across the Roman Empire.

The Roman Temple at Bath is one of only two truly classical temples known from Roman Britain. The temple was built to house the cult statue of the goddess Sulis Minerva. The great ornamental pediment from the temple has been re-erected in the Roman Baths Museum. It carries the image of a fearsome head carved in Bath stone thought to be the Gorgon’s head, a symbol of the goddess Sulis Minerva.

The Roman Baths Museum contains many objects of interest, including thousands of objects thrown into the spring as offerings to the goddess. These offerings include:

* Over 12,000 Roman coins which is the largest votive deposit known from Britain;
* Curses, with messages inscribed on sheets of lead or pewter, which were then rolled up and thrown into the spring where the spirit of the goddess dwelt; and
* Metal pans, known as paterae, inscribed with the letters DSM or the words Deae Sulis Minerva. These may have been used for making offerings of holy water.