Aquae Sulis Flashcards
Where are the hot springs and what do the Romans see them as
In a small area of low lying ground hot springs emerge from underground at a rate of a million litres a day and at a temperature between 46 and 49 degrees. Before the Romans came the springs were regarded as a sacred place and the celts who lived on the surrounding hills came to worship their goddess sulis and believed through Emerssion in the hot spring waters your illnesses would be cured. When the Romans arrived they recognised the importance and potential of the springs as a place of pilgrimage
What did the Romans do to the hot springs
They erected a huge set of public baths so that visitors could enjoy their visit in comfort. The most important part of the baths was the sacred Spring. The Romans in closed it in a large reservoir line with lead and surrounded by simple stone balustrade. The pool with its bubbling waters overhung with cloud of steam presented an awesome and mysterious sight to all the visitors
What was the buildings like
The main building was a long rectangular structure, the largest and most magnificent set of baths of west Rome at This date. It contained 3 main plunge pools filled with warm water brought from the springs . The pool nearest to the spring was hottest and the one must furtherst was the coldest since the water has already lost most of its heat. There was also a suite of warm and hot baths heated by a hypocaust.
Why did people come to aquae sulis
People travelled long distances for the fame of the springs and the healing powers many visited in hope of miraculous cures. Seeing the mysterious waters made them feel as if they were in a holy place . They would believe that a cure for their ailments depended as much on divine favour as the midicinal powers of the water.
What was constructed next to the baths
A temple and the enclosed area around the temple , the sacred precinct , included the spring within its boundaries . A magnificent altar stood in the front of the temple and a life size bronze statues of the goddess sulis Minerva was inside glowing in the flickering light of the enteral flame
How did Romans encourage britains to recognise Roman gods
By liking the name Minerva to sulis the Romans encouraged the Britons to recognise the power of the goddess of healing , wisdom and the arts and associate it with sulis they already knew
What else was in the baths
A caladarium , tepidarium and frigidarium
Where is aquae sulis
It’s the Roman town of bath and Lies beneath the modern city of bath in the valley of the river Avon
What was the town like
At the time of the story ad83 , aquae sulis was a small but growing community . The baths were the most important feature of the town but there were other public buildings like a basilica a theatre houses and inns for the towns visitors .
Where was aquae sulis
In a tribal territory under cogidubnus control
What did visitors buy at aquae sulis
Good luck charms and offerings to throw into the spring the offerings were sometime expensive , beautifully carved gemstones and items of jewellery they were offered as a prayer for good health . Many thousands of Roman coins have been discovered and silver and pewter bowls used to pour offerings to the go deeded and ninety small sheets of pewter with curses on
