The Baths of Hadrian in Leptis Magna were begun in 126-127AD as part of the Emperor Hadrian’s rebuilding programme. Later additions were made by the Emperors Commodus and Septimius Severus.
The baths covered 3 hectares of land. The basic structure was of limestone with marble decor and many fine statues including one of Apollo Lyceum modelled on Hadrian’s favourite, Antoninus.
The bath suite was arranged on a north-south axis with latrines, changing rooms and saunas arranged about them. There was also a palestra or exercise yard, swimming pool, massage areas, rest rooms and libraries, making the complex a luxurious roman spa and leisure centre rather than simply a place to take a bath.
The Swimming Pool and Palestra
The palestra and the swimming pool marked the entrances to the baths. The palestra was directly in front of the main building. Edged with a portico of 72 columns made of cipolin marble, it was equipped with gymnastic equipment, fixed to the ground. The holes are still visible today. On its north side were two exedra or lecture rooms. On the south side was the entrance to the swimming pool.
The swimming pool was situated in an open courtyard surrounded by a portico of pink stone columns. The area was paved with marble and the floor of the pool was decorated with a mosaic.
The swimming pool led directly onto the various bathing rooms of the complex.
The Frigidarium
The frigidarium or cold room was 30 m by 15 m with a vaulted ceiling over 8 metres high. The vaults were supported by 8 cipolin marble columns. Four survive in the remains of the bath house.
The room had 2 cold water baths and was paved in marble. Its most striking feature was its ceiling which was decorated in glass mosaics designed to reflect the water below. Fragments of this ceiling survive in the eastern part of surviving portion of the room.
The Tepidarium
The warm room was just through an archway off the cold room. Its main feature was its 3 baths: a central bath surrounded by grey marble columns and 2 side baths. The central bath was an original feature whereas the side baths were later additions. Statues of the gods and emperors were also a feature of the room.
The Laconica or Sauna rooms
To the sides of the tepidarium were the sauna rooms which were heated by an external furnace. Heat was directed into and around the room through a series of vents that ran under the raised floor and up through the walls. These vents or suspensurae can still be seen today in parts of the exposed remaining wall, along with the perforated tiles or tubuli that covered them.
The Calidarium
The final of the sequence of rooms, the hot room had five baths that were constructed in Commodus’s time. The room had large glass windows overlooking the furnace area and a roof made of a series of barrel vaults.
Other Rooms in the Bath House
Beyond the calidarium was a further steam room. Also arranged around the baths were changing rooms or apodyteria and massage rooms. There were also various social and recreational rooms for relaxing and socialising, including a library.
Sources
· Leptis Magna by Oriana Dal Bosca (2004). Ananke: Italy
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