Roman baths

Color illustration by Tancredi Scarpelli of Roman baths from the book "History of Costumes of Peoples Throughout the Centuries" by Paolo Lorenzini, Nerbini Publishing House, Florence, 1934. Many wealthy individuals had private baths at home but seldom used them, preferring instead to frequent the public baths, which served as social hubs fostering romances, business dealings, and the establishment of relationships and patronage networks. Visits to the baths were not permitted before sunrise or after sunset until Emperor Alexander Severus allowed them to remain open at night, provided visitors paid a surcharge, making nighttime access exclusive to the affluent.