Culture Stage 21

Where is the Roman town of Aquae Sulis?

Beneath the modern city of Bath in the valley of the River Avon

How fast did water emerge from the mineral springs?

Quarter million gallons a day

How hot were the mineral springs?

104-121 degrees Fahrenheit

What mainly composed the water of the mineral springs?

Low amounts of calcium, magnesium, and sodium.

What were the springs believed to be even before Romans arrived?

A sacred place

Who worshiped the mineral springs?

Celts

What goddess did the Celts believe the mineral springs were home to?

Sulis

What was Sulis believed to do?

Cure illnesses

What was believed to happen when you submerged youself in the mineral springs’ water?

It was believed by the Celts that Sulis would cure their illnesses.

What did the Romans do to areas around the springs as they arrived?

They recognized its importance in a place of pilgrimage, so they constructed public baths for visitors.

What was the most important part of the bath complex?

The sacred spring

How did Romans enclose the sacred spring?

In a large reservoir wall made of massive stone blocks and lined with lead sheets ½ in. wide, then surrounded by stone “balustrade”.

What has excavation of the hot springs revealed?

offerings by worshippers. Coins, jewelry, silver and pewter cups

What described Aquae Sulis’ main building?

Most magnificent set of baths west of Rome

What did Aquae Sulius’ main building contain?

3 main baths constantly supplied with mineral water at a pleasant temperature.

How was mineral water transported to the baths?

Lead pipes built by the Roman engineers

How were baths further from the spring, which were cooler, heated again?

Far baths were heated using a hypocaust.

What attracted people to Aquae Sulis?

Its fame and alleged healing powers

What conditions did the water of Aquae Sulis?

Those such as rheumatism and arthritis

What did people hope Aquae Sulis cured?

diseases

What feeling did the steaming waters give the baths?

The feeling of being in a holy place.

Why was a temple constructed next to the bath buildings?

People believed the divine powers of the water were important in its healing properties.

What stood in front of the temple?

An altar

Describe the temple

Roman style with a cella, porch with Corinthian columns, and richly decorated pediment.

Where was the life-sized gilded bronze head of Sulis Minvera possibly from?

The cult statue in the cella

What made the pediment of the temple remarkable?

It’s roundel

Who did people think the face of the roundel was?

Neptune, a sun god, or the Gorgon (also shown on the breastplate of the Minerva).

What was below the rounded of the temple?

Minerva’s owl and helmet

How did Romans encourage Britons to recognize the power of the Roman goddess of wisdom, and associate her with the Sulis they already knew?

By linking the name and attributes of Minerva to those of Sulis

Who were inscription records found on the temple precinet dedicated towards?

the goddess Sulis

Who was believed to create the inscriptions on the temple?

Lucius Marcius Memor, a Roman official and haruspex.

What was the importance of the complex of bath buildings and temple in Aquae Sulis?

Very important. They were the most impressive feature of the town.

What did Aquae Sulis serve as?

A tourist center, place for religious pilgrimage.

What would visitors buy at Aquae Sulis?

Occasionally expensive good luck charms and offerings to throw in the spring with prayers of good health.