Baths of Anthony Pius (Baths of Antoninus) in Tunisia, resort of Carthage
Rating: 7,8/10 (2840 votes)  The Baths of Anthony Pius are located next to the archaeological park and are the largest ruins of Roman Carthage. They cover an area of 1.8 hectares. The baths were built during the reign of Emperor Anthony Pius between 146 and 162. In 389, they were restored, but very soon collapsed, as inaccuracies were made during the construction. Since then, the baths have not been restored, and their stones were used as building material for other structures. Thus, only fragments of the walls of the basements and the foundation have survived to this day. In the basements of the baths, there were water supply and heating elements, as well as premises for workers. The baths themselves were located on the upper floors, from which it was possible to go down to the sea along a chic marble staircase, which has not survived to this day. The construction of the baths was carried out according to a clear symmetrical plan. One wing was for men and the other for women. The vault of the main chamber was supported by eight huge columns of gray granite with Corinthian capitals of white marble. One of these columns was recently restored and replaced. The visit to the baths was like a real ceremony. Upon entering the bathhouse, the visitor changed his clothes in a special room equipped with shelves and niches (apoditerium). Then he had a choice to go to a hot pool or to a gymnasium (in ancient Greece, a gymnasium was considered training rooms and at the same time places of communication on intellectual topics). After that, the visitor to the baths went to warm up in a special room (tepidarium) and did personal hygiene. The Baths of Anthony Pius are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List together with other ruins located in Carthage.    We also recommend reading Amphitheater in Tunisia, Carthage resort Topic: Baths of Anthony Pius (Baths of Antoninus) in Tunisia, resort of Carthage. |
