The recent discovery of the largest private Roman bathhouse in the ancient city of Pompeii has caused quite a stir among archaeologists and history enthusiasts alike. The luxurious complex, buried under layers of volcanic ash, offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Pompeii’s elite.
According to Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii archaeological park, this find is truly a once-in-a-century discovery. The bathhouse features a series of baths with hot, warm, and cold rooms, as well as a plunge pool, making it a spa day fit for an emperor. Zuchtriegel describes it as perhaps the largest thermal complex in a private house in Pompeii, showcasing the extravagant tastes of the city’s ruling class.
Adjacent to the bathhouse is a black-walled banquet hall adorned with images from Roman and Greek mythology. Zuchtriegel explains that these spaces were used by the elite to host banquets, promote election campaigns, and close deals. It was not only a display of wealth but also an opportunity for some relaxation and pampering in the form of a thermal treatment.
The residential complex where the bathhouse is located is believed to have been owned by Aulus Rustius Verus, a wealthy and influential politician in Pompeii. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which killed ten percent of the city’s residents and buried it in ash, preserved the remains of Pompeii’s citizens and their luxurious homes for nearly two millennia.
Dr. Anna Onesti, the director of the excavation, expresses her excitement at the ongoing discoveries in Pompeii. Every day brings a new surprise, with exceptional finds that shed light on the daily lives and customs of this ancient civilization.
The excavation in Region IX, where the bathhouse was found, has also uncovered a bakery, a laundry, and other parts of the house. The meticulous work of archaeologists continues to reveal the secrets of Pompeii, offering a unique insight into a world long lost to time.
