The Romans frequently built [i]themae[/i] (bath houses). Cleanliness was important in their society, and at that time it wasn't possible to have bathing facilities in individual houses. After undressing in the [i]apodyterium[/i], bathers would proceed to the [i]frigidarium[/i] (cold bath), to the [i]tepidarium[/i], and then ultimately the [i]caldarium[/i] (hot bath). Some baths had a [i]laconicum[/i], which was a sort of steam room. Typically the bath complex separated men and women. However, the bathing pools were only a fraction of the [i]thermae[/i] complexes. There typically libraries, gymnasiums, and other civic facilities. This quote from [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_bath]Wikipedia[/url] sums it up nicely:[quote]In many ways, baths were the ancient Roman equivalent of community centres. Because the bathing process took so long, conversation was necessary. Many Romans would use the baths as a place to invite their friends to dinner parties, and many politicians would go to the baths to convince fellow Romans to join their causes. The thermae had many attributes in addition to the baths. There were libraries, rooms for poetry readings, and places to buy and eat food. The modern equivalent would be a combination of a library, art gallery, mall, restaurant, gym, and spa.[/quote]
The point of my history lesson here is two-fold:
1. Should this form of civic complex make a return? It would be a more efficient use of resources, space, and money than having these facilities be separate buildings, often miles apart. Now, with modern technology we can all bathe at home with relative ease. However, we still use communal swimming pools and spas and steam rooms, and this kind of facility would just bring them together.
2. Apply question 1 to third-world/developing countries. Issues of efficiency and money and resource usage become more important. Communities may not be advanced or wealthy enough to have bathing facilities in individual homes, or maybe the availability of water limits this ability. The original purpose of the [i]thermae[/i], bathing, is relevant again. Imagine slums in developing countries offering bathing and exercise and education in a single complex that is built for maximum efficiency. The Roman bath complexes were proven to work. Why not emulate them today in places where such complexes would be relevant and see heavy use?
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2 RepliesDisease, disease everywhere