Description of the Baths (Reg IX, Ins 4, 5) The Central Baths lie at the intersection of two of Pompeii's main streets, Via Stabiana and Via di Nola and occupy the whole of the interior of the insula. The baths were built within the framework of urban renewal carried out after the earthquake of AD62. The design followed the latest thinking in contemporary bathing practices, letting in more light to the interior and providing more exercise space outside. The Central Baths had a large palaestra (F) with exedrae for relaxation, a single suite of spacoius bathing rooms, large windows, an open air pool and a latrine. Their unfinished state does not allow appreciation of their decoration, but given the tastes of the age, it was probably intended to be sumptuous. .. The Central Baths had accesses (A) on all four of the surrounding streets. The entrance to the bath suite itself led first to the gymnasium, which led onto the apodyterium (B) with its cold-water bathing pool. .. The south side of the apodyterium opened onto the tepidarium which in turn led to the caldarium (D), which had two bathing pools, one at either end. .. The Central Baths did not have a frigidarium (usually situated off the apodyterium), but did have a laconicum which was accessed off the north east corner of the caldarium. The laconicum had an intense dry heat to promote heavy sweating to purify and detoxify the body. Light would have entered the rooms through large glass windows. .. At the time of the eruption the construction of the bath complex was still incomplete - the swimming pool was unfinished and the gymnasium was yet to be started. ..

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