Aquae Sulis Roman Baths c. 100 CE

The English city of Bath was once the Roman town Aquae Sulis (‘Waters of Sul’). It was established c. 100 when the Romans began building a baths and temple complex on three hot mineral springs. The complex was dedicated to Sulis (Celtic goddess of springs) and Minerva (Roman goddess of springs). The springs, once a Celtic sacred site, had a high iron content and were believed to be healing. The baths were constructed in several stages, with the steaming hot (114.8˚ F/ 46˚ C) 5-ft (1.6-m) deep Great Bath, covered by a high domed roof, at its centre. The Romans bathed, ate and socialized here – perhaps while sitting on stone benches. There were several smaller bathing pools, and bathing rooms heated by hypocaust (below-floor heating). There was also a cold, circular plunge pool, and a ‘Sacred Pool’ in the temple courtyard, used for votive offerings.