The Romans appreciated the possibility of relaxing in the baths. Of course, the full pleasure of bathing could be experienced thanks to special additives such as oils or scrapers. A slave or bathman (balneator) hired for an appropriate fee could definitely make the stay more enjoyable.
But what if someone could not afford such a luxury? Back then, you could count on the help of Emperor Hadrian.
Aelius Spartanius mentions one “bathing” story. Once, Emperor Hadrian, while in a bathhouse, noticed an old veteran rubbing his back against a wall. When asked why the emperor did so, he replied that he could not afford a slave who would rub his old back with a scraper. The emperor immediately gave him money that he could use to pay for bathing. The next day it happened again, but not with one veteran, but with a whole lot of people rubbing against the walls. These men were counting on a similar grace of Hadrian, but instead of money he only advised them that since there are so many of them, let them serve one another.
