Description of the Baths (Reg VII, Ins 1, 8) These baths take their name from the fact that they lie at the intersection of the Via Stabiana and the Via dell'Abbondanza. They are the oldest baths in Pompeii being first built around the 4th century BC and restored and enlarged several times thereafter (the last time being after the earthquake of 62AD. ..Palaestra Facilities: (Entrances A and B). ........................1. Wash basins.......i.i.....2. Swimming pool ........................3. Apodyterium...............4. Service area ........................5. Single baths.....lll........6. Latrines ..Men's Baths: ....... ........................7. Entrance....................8. Waiting room ........................9. Apodyterium.............10. Frigidarium .............t...lll...11. Tepidarium................12. Caldarium ..Women's Baths: (Entrances C). .......................14. Apodyterium............15. Tepidarium .......................16. Caldarium...i............17. Laconicum .......................18. Ambulatory .. .. The baths complex centres on a large trapezoidal peristyle illustrated opposite. The eastern part was taken up by the men's and women's baths with the furnace room between. This room had three large boilers (one for warm, one for hot and one for very hot water). The most important innovation during the Imperial age was the gymnasium facilities. Here swimming could be alternated with athletic exercise and various sports. .. .. The large pool is flanked by two room where clients washed before entering the pool, and by a dressing room (above left). These rooms are decorated with polychrome stuccoes that can be dated to the years after the earthquake of 62 AD. The actual baths were on the east side and were divided into male and female sections as shown in the plan above. Entrance to the men's section was from the southeast corner of the portico. A passageway with a barrel vault leads to the apodyterium and the circular frigidarium (pictured left). This is followed by the tepidarium and then the caldarium, which, like the preceeding room, had its flooring raised on susupensurae and walls provided with airspaces for the passage of hot air. .. The swimming pool itself measures 13 x 8 metres and was 1.5m deep. On the sides the lead pipes that carried the water to the pool can be seen. .. .. .. ..

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------