A Chronological and Functional Assessment of the Roman Imperial Bath-Gymnasium of Sagalassos (SW Asia Minor)

Abstract

Between 1995 and 2014, the Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project excavated large parts of a grand bathing complex situated within its lower city, immediately east of the Lower Agora. Because of its long-term use as a bathing facility – ranging from the 1st – 6th/7th c. A.D. – and the upkeep-intensive nature of such buildings, understanding its different phases is a complicated endeavour, often allowing for different hypotheses. Having concluded major excavations, this paper chronologically enunciates the archaeological datasets, describing the relative sequences of contexts and associated dating criteria, and their interpretation. Through a series of structural analyses (maps) and comparative efforts, the narratives which have formed through a variety of reports and publications can be re-evaluated. Next, we present the archaeological certainties and uncertainties of the Roman Imperial Bath Gymnasium. Additionally, the building will be contextualized within the dynamic urban fabric of Roman Imperial, Late Roman and Early Byzantine Sagalassos. In that respect, we will present a recently discovered bathing facility east of the Upper Agora, and discuss its relations with the other baths. Last, we will use the results to highlight the potential of the Roman Imperial Bath Gymnasium to contribute to wider debates.