The “Baths” were a huge part of Roman society and culture.
From the guide brochure I picked up at Pompeii: “The Baths were highly important to the Romans not just for reasons of hygiene and relaxation but also to meet people and socialize.
“According to the classical structure of the baths, the rooms were organized in the following sequence: the apodyterium (changing room), frigidarium (for cold baths), tepidarium (for warm baths), calidarium (for hot baths). Roman baths follow the standard division into women’s and men’s sections. Private baths were also in important houses or villas.”
Here you can see some surviving ancient Roman baths (from the town of Bath, England).
My friend Michelle lived for many years in Tunisia. Last year she returned to Tunisia for a month to visit close friends. In reading her What’s App updates about her trip I was fascinated how important the “Baths” still are in this part of the world.
My friend Michelle visited the “Baths” on multiple different occasions as a way to socialize with her Tunisian friends. They spent hours at the “Baths” chatting and visiting, and even making close friendships with the other ladies who were there as well. So much so that these new friends they made at the “Baths” were invited to join in the events and activities of everyday life which my friend Michelle was participating in. And likewise, these new friends from the “Baths” invited my friend Michelle to come be part of their everyday-life family gatherings and events.
In a way, culture and society in Tunisia still revolves around the “Baths” just as it did back in ancient Roman times.
Did the Apostle Paul visit the baths in Rome? Probably not. When the Apostle Paul was living in Rome he was a prisoner under house arrest.
Though I’m sure the Apostle Paul did indeed visit the “Baths” in the different cities he visited throughout his missionary journeys.
And when we think of the early first-century Christians in Rome (to whom the letter in the Bible – entitled “Romans” – was written) for sure the “Baths” were a huge part of their everyday lives and their social interactions.
