Archaeologists in Pompeii discovered a private, richly decorated bathhouse from 2,000 years ago, considered to be one of the largest found so far. The bathhouse could accommodate about 30 people and consisted of several rooms: hot, warm, cool, and a changing room equipped with benches.
The central element of the cold store was the peristyle – a 10 by 10 meter courtyard with a large swimming pool in the center. The thermal complex was directly connected to a previously discovered black banquet hall decorated with frescoes, suggesting that the residence belonged to an influential community member. According to researchers, bathhouses were used not only for relaxation, but also for political purposes, such as building an election campaign or promoting the candidacy of family or friends, simultaneously proving the owner’s high social status.
