Life & Death in Aquae Sulis. 로마 목욕탕(Roman Baths)(6). 바스(Bath)

Life & Death in Aquae Sulis. 로마 목욕탕(Roman Baths)(6).

바스(Bath). 영국(England)

romanbaths.co.uk

 

Life & Death in Aquae Sulis

The first Romans to come here were soldiers. Their architects and craftsmen built the Baths and Temple.

The people from local tribes, officials and priests, and traders from across the Empire settled here; pilgrims travelled here and some people died here...

 

Aquae Sulis and the Roman Empire

Aquae Sulis was a small town in the Roman Empire. one or two thousand people lived here.

 

Half of the people named in inscriptions came from other places in the Empire.

 

Boar

A symbol of the 20th Legion, who may have been involved in building the baths. Found in the Roman Baths.

 

Gravestone of an Optio

This Officer was second in command to a centurion, responsible for communications.

He carries his staff of office and a scroll.

 

 

 

Gravestone of a cavalryman  

 

Gravestone of a cavalryman

 

Similar to the memorial to Tancinus, this carving shows a cavalryman riding down an enemy. This was a popular theme with cavalrymen in the 1st century AD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gravestone of Tancinus

 

Gravestone of Tancinus

L(ucius) Vitellius Ma＼ntai f(ilius) Tancinus ＼ cives Hisp(anus) Caurie(n) sis ＼ eq(ues) alae Vettonum c(ivium) R(omanorum) ＼ anno(orum) XXXXVI stip(endiorum) XXVI ＼ h(ic) s(itus) e(st)

 

Lucius Vitellius Tancinus, son of Mantaius, a tribesman of Caurium in Spain, trooper of the cavalry regiment of Vettones, Roman citizens, aged 46, of 26 years' service, lies buried here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gravestone of Antigonus, veteran of the 20th Legion

 

Gravestone of Antigonus, veteran of the 20th Legion

 

Ser(gia tribu) A［nt］igonus ＼ Nicopoli emeritus ex＼leg(ione) XX an(norum) XLV＼ h(ic) s(itus) e(st)＼G(aius) Tiberinus heres＼f(aciendum) c(uravit)

 

Antigonus, of the Sergian voting-tribe, from Nicopolis, veteran of the 20th Legion, aged 45, lies buried here, Gaius Tiberinus, his heir, had this set up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julius Vitalis

Vitalis came from a tribe called the Belgae who lived in southern Britain as well as northern France. He died in Auqae Sulis in the later 1st century AD and so may have been with the troops who built the Baths and Temple.

 

He was one of the many skilled craftsmen with the army who maintained and repaired equipment.

 

Julius Vita＼lis fabricie(n)s＼is leg(ionis) XXV(aleriae) V(ictricis)＼stipendior＼um IX an(n)or(um) XX＼IX natione Be＼lga ex col(l)egio fabrice(nsium) elatu＼s h(ic) s(itus) e(st)

 

Julis Vitalis, armourer of the 20th Legion Valeria Victrix, of 9 years' service, aged 29 years, a Belgic tribesman, with funeral paid for by the Guild of Armourers, lies here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Head of a lady

This head probably decorated the tomb of a wealthy lady. Her hairstyle was fashionable in Rome in the later 1st century AD.

 

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Soldiers in Aquae Sulis

These objects were found locally and show the presence of the army here.

 

Some belonged to Roman soldiers who threw them into the Sacred Spring as gifts to Sulis Menerva

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fastener from legionary body armour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horse harness pendant from the Sacred Spring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catapult washer from the Sacred Spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soldier's belt buckle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bronze saucepan (Patera) with a design showing Hadrian's Wall. From the Sacred Spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model wooden spear from the Sacred Spring.

 

 

Silver mounts from prarade armour.

From the Sacred Spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Archaeologists found this hoard of 17,577 Roman silver coins buried in the corner of a Roman bhilding 150 metres from here. The coins were hidden in eight leather bags and date from 32BC to 275 AD.

 

This is one of the largest Roman coin hoards ever found in a Roman town.

 

 

Replica coin bag

 

Replica of fused coins in Bag 4

 

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Traders and Pilgrims in Aquae Sulis

Traders and pilgrims visiting Aquae Sulis sometimes travelled long distances. They brought news and ideas as well as money and goods.

 

They probably stayed in lodgings or guest houses.

When making their way to the Temple or Baths they might be offered hot food and drink at stalls or bars.

 

The everyday objects that they and local people used included goods and utensils from across the Empire.

 

 

 

Shipping

 

Amphorae used to bring wine from the Mediterranean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooking

 

Cooking pots made in Britain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mixing

 

Mortaria for grinding and mixing, were made in Britain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drinking

 

Flagon & drinking beakers from the Rhineland, Britain & France

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fine dining

 

Samian tableware from France and glass from the Rhineland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eating

 

Knives and spoons made in Britain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grinding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buying    

 

 

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Coins

Coin copies

Forgeries were made of Imperial coins which were then used alongside the official currency.

Devaluation

The amount of silver in Roman coins was reduced over time. Mixed with copper the coins are distinctive now, but had the same value as earlier silver coins when issued.

 

Coins of the hoard

These are only two types of coin in the hoard;

 

silver denarii - smaller, with the male wearing  wreath

silver radiates - larger, with the male wearing a crown

 

 

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Living in Aquae Sulis

 

Many finds from Aquae Sulis give an insight into the daily lives and domestic arrangements of the people who lived here.

 

Interior decoration

 

Painted wall plaster decorated houses of the rich with bright colours.

 

 

 

 

 

Earings

 

Roman women wore as much jewellery as they could. The god and garnet earing was thrown into the Sacred Spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penannular brooches

 

Brooches held clothes in place as there were no zips or buttons.

 

Household Gods

 

People prayed to penates, gods who protected the home and family.

 

 

 

 

Plate brooches

 

Brooches might be decorated with coloured enamel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bow brooches

Brooches (fibulae) were often made locally with small variations in design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marble bust

 

This bust of the Empress Sabina probably adorned the house of an official or noble.

 

 

 

 

 

Security

 

Keys and padlocks kept houses and strong boxes secure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hairpins

 

Hairpins were made of bone, glass and bronze and sometimes used to support elaborate hairstyles.

 

 

Perfume and make-up

 

Glass cosmetic pots and perfume bottles, and spoons for mixing cosmetics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bracelets and finger rings

 

Bracelets were only worn by women, although both men and women wore finger rings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal hygiene

 

Nail cleaner, tweezers, combs and ear scoops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graffiti

 

A potsherd with the name of Martinus scratched on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lighting

 

Oil lamps were fuelled with olive oil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seal box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Street in Aquae Sulis

Craftsmen and shop-owners catered for locals and visitors. Their shops and stalls lined the main roads into Aquae Sulis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing

 

Romans used styli to write on wax tablets and metal-nibbed pens to write with ink.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seal box

 

Important letters were sealed with  , and the seals kept in little bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pewter-making

 

Moulds for pewter vessels and souvenirs. A pewter jug found in the Sacred Spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoe-making

 

Leather shoe pieces and the tools used to make them. The replica is called a calceus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making clothes

 

Spindle whorls used in spinning wool and tools used for weaving and stitching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blacksmithing

 

Tongs and iron tools made by blacksmiths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stone-working

 

This small altar shows that stoneumasons prepared blanks for later finishing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buying and selling

A balance for weighing and an official seal gave people confidence when buying and selling.

 

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Mosaic floor

Mosaic floors were found in the best rooms of private houses and public buildings.

Aquatic scenes with sea beasts were popular designs in bath houses.

 

Probably 3rd-4th century AD.

From a house in Aquae Sulis.

 

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Gravestone of Mercatilla

 

Gravestone of Mercatilla

D(is) M(anibus)＼Merc(atilla) Magni l(iberta)＼alumna vixit an(num) l＼m(enses) VI d(ies) XII

 

To the spirits of the departed, Mercatilla, freedwoman and foster-daughter of Magnius, lived 1 year, 6 months, 12 days.

This child was born a slave. In her short life she was adopted and granted freedom.

 

 

 

 

 

Dedication by Priscus

 

Dedication by Priscus

Priscus＼Touti f(ilius)＼lapidariu［s］＼cives Car［nu］＼tenus S［uli］＼deae v(otum)［s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)］

 

Priscus, son of Toutius, stonemason, a tribesman of the Carnutes, to the Goddess Sulis willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow.

 

Priscus came from the area around Chartres, in France. Craftsmen might travel long distances for work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gravestone of Rusonia Aventina

 

Gravestone of Rusonia Aventina

Rusoniae Aven［ti］nae c(ivi) Mediomatr［ic(ae)］annor(um) LVIII h(ic) s(ita) e(st) L(ucius) Ulpius Sestius h(eres) f(aciendum) c(uravit)

 

... to Rusonia Aventina, a tribeswoman of the Mediomatrici, aged 58, she lies here; Lucius Ulpius Sestius, her heir, had this set up.

 

Rusonia Aventina came from the area around Metz, in France.

 

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Dedication by Sollemnis

 

Dedication by Sollemnis

To the Goddess Sulis Minerva, Tiberius Claudius Sollemnis, son of Tiberius.

 

Carved block

 

Carved block

With the name Cornelianus.

Gravestone

 

Gravestone

Showing a hound chasing a hare.

 

Gravestone

 

Gravestone

Showing a dog with a deer across its back

 

Lion sculpture

 

Lion sculpture

Found in the River Avon.

 

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A man from Aquae Sulis

This man from Aquae Sulis, Roman Bath, lived and died here nearly two thousand years ago. This tombstone shows him as he wished to be remembered. He carries a scroll which reflects his learing and status in life.

 

It was re-used in the medieval town wall.

 

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