DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42778#0175
THE THERMAE OR BATHS.
107
Diocletian are remarkable, according to Rivoira,1 both as summing
up the principles of construction and statics attained by the archi-
tects of Imperial Rome, and as the inspiration of the builders of
succeeding ages.
He mentions the system of thrusts and counter-thrusts which
may be seen in the central hall (now the Church of S. Maria degli
Angeli)—the pierced flying or ramping buttresses which may also2
be seen in the Basilica of Constantine,3 the rectangular buttresses
on the eastern face, enclosing stairs, and the chambers with quadri-
partite vaulting, strongly ribbed, which close the two ends of the
hall; and finally, the surrounding of the Tepidarium with four
towers containing staircases, two circular and two rectangular,
which last serve also as the outer buttresses of the central hall.
In the Thermae of Trajan (Fig. 30, Plate L) the Frigidarium was
much larger than that of Caracalla, and was enclosed with a peri-
style on three sides. The central hall and the halls on the south-
west side are similar to those of the Thermae of Diocletian, and in
the central hall we have the earliest example known of concrete
cross vaulting supported by columns, though we find simple vaulting
resting in columns in the (Ecus Corinthius of the Casa delle Nozze
d’Argento at Pompeii. The vaulted hemicycles (the earliest
examples known) are placed on the extreme right and left of
the central block, beyond the peristyle court. In front of the
central block, on each side, is a circular room, with a bath in the
centre similar to that described in the baths at Pompeii as the
Frigidarium, and on the right and left of the latter are the private
baths. The enclosure in which the main block is built is not so
large as in the Thermae of Caracalla. Passing through the entrance
gateway, we enter the north peristyle of the Frigidarium, and the
corridor is carried to the right and left, affording covered access
to various halls, to two great hemicycles with circular promenades
in the rear, and to other private baths. On each side of the central
block there were wide promenades with bosquets, with exedrae or
semicircular marble seats and avenues of trees. The Stadium, at
the farther end (built over part of the Golden House of Nero), was
semi-circular. In this case, as also in the Thermae of Constantine,
on the right and left of the enclosure were a series of halls and two
other hemicycles.
1 Roman Architecture, 204 sqq.
2 It is the only large ancient interior (except the Pantheon) still existing in
Rome in a good state of preservation.
3 The prototype may be traced in the Forum of Trajan.
107
Diocletian are remarkable, according to Rivoira,1 both as summing
up the principles of construction and statics attained by the archi-
tects of Imperial Rome, and as the inspiration of the builders of
succeeding ages.
He mentions the system of thrusts and counter-thrusts which
may be seen in the central hall (now the Church of S. Maria degli
Angeli)—the pierced flying or ramping buttresses which may also2
be seen in the Basilica of Constantine,3 the rectangular buttresses
on the eastern face, enclosing stairs, and the chambers with quadri-
partite vaulting, strongly ribbed, which close the two ends of the
hall; and finally, the surrounding of the Tepidarium with four
towers containing staircases, two circular and two rectangular,
which last serve also as the outer buttresses of the central hall.
In the Thermae of Trajan (Fig. 30, Plate L) the Frigidarium was
much larger than that of Caracalla, and was enclosed with a peri-
style on three sides. The central hall and the halls on the south-
west side are similar to those of the Thermae of Diocletian, and in
the central hall we have the earliest example known of concrete
cross vaulting supported by columns, though we find simple vaulting
resting in columns in the (Ecus Corinthius of the Casa delle Nozze
d’Argento at Pompeii. The vaulted hemicycles (the earliest
examples known) are placed on the extreme right and left of
the central block, beyond the peristyle court. In front of the
central block, on each side, is a circular room, with a bath in the
centre similar to that described in the baths at Pompeii as the
Frigidarium, and on the right and left of the latter are the private
baths. The enclosure in which the main block is built is not so
large as in the Thermae of Caracalla. Passing through the entrance
gateway, we enter the north peristyle of the Frigidarium, and the
corridor is carried to the right and left, affording covered access
to various halls, to two great hemicycles with circular promenades
in the rear, and to other private baths. On each side of the central
block there were wide promenades with bosquets, with exedrae or
semicircular marble seats and avenues of trees. The Stadium, at
the farther end (built over part of the Golden House of Nero), was
semi-circular. In this case, as also in the Thermae of Constantine,
on the right and left of the enclosure were a series of halls and two
other hemicycles.
1 Roman Architecture, 204 sqq.
2 It is the only large ancient interior (except the Pantheon) still existing in
Rome in a good state of preservation.
3 The prototype may be traced in the Forum of Trajan.