Baths of the Diocletian

Baths of the diocletian


The Baths of Diocletian are known to be bigger than any other Roman baths. The stature of this structure was quite massive and had a little more than just a sense of grandeur. As several pictures show, the amount of space that filled in between the gigantic walls was vast. The similarity between the large walls that made up the bath and the large amount of space that was housed in it, really added to the “wow factor” of the building.

To cover the outside of the Baths of Diocletion, white stucco was carved to resemble that of marble blocks stacking up the lofty walls. However, the inside walls consisted of richly colored marble and painted stucco. Various statues were also carefully placed around the inside. The use of these materials was repeated throughout the building, although they were just used in different contexts.



The baths consisted of many different elements that worked together to ensure the satisfaction of all the local people. To accommodate them, there were more than just baths housed in the building. There were also changing, reading, lounging, and lecture rooms. You could even find a gymnasia and a theater! Talk about a one-stop shop! Aside from the extras, the Roman baths had several types of baths concentrated in the building. There was a warm-water, hot water, and cold-water bathing halls. Even an unheated swimming pool was present. All of these components were enclosed by gardens containing fountains and an exterior shield of stores and offices.

With a very symmetrical layout, I believe the flow of up to thousands of people was very smooth. With a space as large and frequented as this, if there wasn’t some form of order, the whole place would be a mess. As the plan and section views show, everything was perfectly place in a very symmetrical and neat order. There is also great emphasis on the entrance which helps guide the people in the right direction.


To start with the obvious, at least we know that the Roman people were clean and bathed on a regular basis! Being an important ritual, the Baths of the Diocletian were most likely a very important and frequently visited building in the community. Not only do I think that this was a place to restore everyone’s sanitation, it served as a place for socializing. With the presence of theaters, shops, and lounging rooms many people came here for fun to visit with friends and neighbors. A sense of community and unity at least among the higher status of people was important to the Romans. Although, I do believe in a way it is a bit contradictory if only a specific type of people were welcome into the doors of the Roman baths.
The purpose of the Baths of the Diocletian was similar to the ancient Roman theaters, they were built to bring people together to enjoy themselves. Also like that of many famous buildings in Rome, I believe that the size of the buildings was mainly devoted to that of the male ego, in which each ruler’s theater or bath had to be the most grand. Opposite to it’s low-lying geography the Baths of Diocletion was constructed to reach up towards the sky, making it very prominent in the region. Its construction was very similar to that of the Baths of Caracella.
Seeing that everyone in today’s world has their own bathroom equipped with both a shower and/or a bathtub, I don’t think the Roman baths would be as popular in that sense. However, the public pool, gym, theater, and stores all in one place would go over quite well in present day communities. Most people now a days are normally in a rush and tend to like going one place for everything. I think in today’s culture the building would be compared to that of a grand ballroom or concert hall. Today’s theaters are too commercial and not as detailed in the architectural terms. The functions may be different but the stigma for the two is the same.