11 - Bodies and Buildings: Space, Decoration and Ritual in the Roman Domestic Bath

Summary

The present paper investigates some aspects of interaction of rituals, space and decoration in Roman domestic bath suites found within the Late Republican domus, to show how private and public spheres engaged in the Roman world. Empirical evidence is chosen from the Vesuvian city of Pompeii. A study of archaeological remains and the rituals performed within them can broaden our knowledge of human use of space and the built environment. The door of the Roman domus was not a marker of private and public space. Being open to the street, the main entrance allowed citizens to gaze into the house and even let the uninvited cross the threshold and enter the atrium to consult the owner (Wallace- Hadrill 1994, 83). Of course the accessibility also depended on guards and other potential deterrents not seen in the archaeological record.

In our modern world the perception of what is private and public is clearly marked. This is apparent through the way our world is organised, how we live our lives, do our daily tasks and adjust to other people. In Roman society the clear distinctions of what was perceived as private and public were vague, and in many instances non-existent. A consciousness of the distinction between private/ public existed in Roman society where it changed due to superior social structures and mechanisms (Cic. Verr. 2,5,35; Ov. Met. 2,35; Sen. Epist.3; Plaut. Capt.1,2.36). Just think of the use of latrines, where rows of toilets were lined up for all to use, and the mania for body care and its display. I believe that a study of one of the most intimate and private spheres in modern society, the bath, here understood as the domestic bathing complexes found within the domus, can serve as an interesting case study to illustrate differences between modern/Roman perceptions of private/public. The article discusses the placement of domestic bath suites within the domus and their location in the public spheres of the house. The argument is reinforced by a discussion of the decorations found within domestic bath suites, showing “public” motives, which I interpret as being actively used by the Romans to evoke a public feeling.