Bathing in a ›Western Style‹. Private Bath Complexes in Roman and Late Antique Asia Minor

Abstract

Bathing, both in public and private contexts, formed an element typical of the Roman lifestyle. In spite of this, private bathing and private bath complexes have received only limited scholarly attention thus far and studies have been restricted almost entirely to the West. This article focuses on the bathrooms that are archaeologically attested in Roman and late antique private dwellings in Asia Minor. Apart from giving an overview of the evidence, attention is paid to the plan and dimensions of the private bath complexes, their water and heating infrastructure and decorative schemes. Subsequently, Roman and late antique private baths are compared with their Hellenistic precursors. Finally, the identity of the house owners who embellished their houses with ›Western‹ bathing installations, is questioned.