CLC Stage 21-22 Culture

Roman name and location of modern Bath?

Aquae Sulis, in the valley of the River Avon.

Daily water output and temperature of the hot springs?

>1 mil liters (250k gallons) at 104–121°F (40–49°C).

Geological origin of the spring water?

Rain from 10,000 years ago that filtered 2 miles (3 km) underground.

Three main minerals in the water?

Calcium, magnesium, sodium.

Original Celtic goddess of the spring and her power?

Sulis; believed to have healing powers.

How did Romans enclose the sacred spring?

In a reservoir wall lined with lead sheets.

Bath layout and the 3 hypocaust rooms?

Three plunge baths + a hypocaust suite: caldarium (hot), tepidarium (warm), frigidarium (cold).

Common items thrown into the spring as offerings?

Coins, jewelry, gemstones, and silver/pewter cups.

Who were Rusonia Aventina and Julius Vitalis?

• Rusonia Aventina: Died at 58, seeking a cure.

• Julius Vitalis: 20th Legion armorer, died at 29 on sick leave.

Why combine Sulis and Minerva (Sulis Minerva)?

To encourage Romanization (blending Celtic and Roman cultures).

Who was Lucius Marcius Memor?

A haruspex (diviner) who dedicated a surviving statue base to Sulis.

What are dēfīxiōnēs and what were they made of?

Curse tablets made of lead or pewter (90+ at Bath; 300+ in Britain).

How did you deploy a curse tablet?

1. Write the offender's name

2. Dedicate them to a god for punishment

3. Roll/fold it

4. Throw it into a spring/well.

What did Docilianus and Basilia curse thieves for?

• Docilianus: A stolen hooded cloak.

• Basilia: A stolen silver ring (dedicated to Mars).

What is the “Vilbia curse”?

A tablet cursing whoever "stole" Vilbia, listing several male suspects.

Two ways tablets were made extra “magical”?

Written backwards and using nonsense words (e.g., bescu, berebescu, bazagra).

Who did the bearded demon on the tablets likely represent?

Charon, the ferryman of the River Styx.

How did Romans view gods regarding personal disputes?

As potential allies to help punish wrongdoers.

What are ōmina (omens) and 2 examples of superstitions?

• Signs (like a hooting owl/bad dream)

• Superstitions: Only marrying on certain days, crossing thresholds with the right foot, wearing amulets.