Baths of Trajan

The Baths of Trajan (Italian: Terme di Traiano) were a huge place where people could go to relax and wash, called a thermae, in ancient Rome. They were built and opened in July 109 during the time when Trajan was the leader. This happened just after a new water supply called the Aqua Traiana was finished. These baths were an important part of Roman life, where people could spend time together and enjoy different activities.

History

The Baths of Trajan were started by Emperor Domitian around 96 AD. They were built on the southern side of the Oppian Hill, just outside the main part of Rome but still inside its walls. The architect was Apollodorus of Damascus. People used these baths as a place to relax and meet others, and both men and women visited them until around the early 5th century.

Later, the baths were left empty. By the time the Ostrogoths attacked Rome in 537, the baths were not in use anymore because the water supply had been destroyed.

Location and site

The Baths of Trajan were built on the Oppian Hill, which is near the Esquiline Hill. Before this, the area had been part of the Domus Aurea, a fancy home owned by Nero. After Nero passed away, other leaders used this place until a fire destroyed it in 104 AD. The old home was then used to create a strong base for the new baths.

The baths were arranged in a special way, not pointing exactly north to south like some other buildings. Experts think the builders did this on purpose to keep people warm from the wind and to let in lots of sunshine.

Description

The Baths of Trajan were a very large bathing and leisure place in ancient Rome. They covered an area of about 330 by 340 metres, making them huge by the standards of that time.

The baths had a main entrance on the northeast side and a big curved area on the southwest side, which might have been used for sports and shows. Inside, the rooms were arranged in a special way, starting with a large open-air swimming pool called the natatio. Visitors would then move through warm and hot rooms, ending with a big cold room called the frigidarium, which had four cold pools in its corners. There were also underground passages and a large water storage area that could hold up to 8 million litres of water.

Later history

Over time, people sometimes mixed up the Baths of Trajan with the nearby Baths of Titus. Some even wondered if the Baths of Trajan really existed. But in the late 1800s, an archaeologist named Rodolfo Lanciani proved they were a big, separate building.

The baths were taken apart over the years. Their stones were used by monks and builders for new projects. Even so, parts of the baths were still standing in the 1500s. Artists and architects studied the ruins. During this time, important statues like the famous Laocoön and His Sons were found close by.

"City fresco" and mosaics

Archaeological digs in 1997 found a large painted picture of a walled city, seen from above. This is special because it is one of the few such pictures that has survived. It was found in a hidden hallway under the baths. It is not clear if the picture shows a real city or an imaginary one.

In 2011, a big mosaic was found in a place thought to be a Musaeum, a room for the goddesses of art. This mosaic had pictures of Apollo, the god of music and light, and several muses, the goddesses who inspire artists. Some pieces of the mosaic were missing because they were used in building the baths. Another nearby mosaic showed scenes of harvesting grapes.