Daily Life

The public baths were one of the most popular places in ancient Rome. They weren’t just for washing—they were for relaxing, talking, exercising, and making friends. Huge buildings had warm pools, cold pools, saunas, gyms, gardens, and even snack bars! Men and women went at different times of day, and everyone—from slaves to senators—used them. The warm water came through underground furnaces and pipes, heated by wood fires. Some baths were enormous—like the Baths of Caracalla, which could hold thousands of people at once. For many Romans, a day wasn’t complete without a long soak, a chat with friends, and a splash in the steaming pools.