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{{infobox ancient site |
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|map dot label=Baths of Constantine |
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|map_type=Italy Rome Antiquity |
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|map_caption=Shown in ancient Rome |
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|location=[[Rome]], Italy |
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'''Baths of Constantine''' ([[Latin]], ''Thermae Constantinianae'') was a public bathing complex built on |
'''Baths of Constantine''' ([[Latin]], ''Thermae Constantinianae'') was a public bathing complex built on Rome's [[Quirinal Hill]], beside the Tiber River, by [[Constantine I]], probably before 315.<ref>[[Aurelius Victor]] ''Caes''. 40: a quo ad lavandum institutum opus ceteris haud multo dispar; Not. Reg. VI</ref> |
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Ancient [[Constantinople]] and [[Arles]] also had complexes known as Baths of Constantine. |
Ancient [[Constantinople]] and [[Arles]] also had complexes known as Baths of Constantine. |
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===Construction and plan=== |
===Construction and plan=== |
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[[File:ThermaeConstantiniFUR.png|thumb|260px]] |
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The last of Rome's bath complexes, they were constructed in the irregular space |
The last of Rome's bath complexes, they were constructed in the irregular space enclosed by the vicus Longus, the [[Alta Semita]], the clivus Salutis and the vicus laci Fundani. And as this was on a side-hill, it was necessary to demolish the 4th-century houses then on the site (beneath which are ruins of second- and third-century houses) and make an artificial level over their ruins.<ref>''Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma'' 1876, pp. 102‑106</ref> Because of these peculiar conditions, these thermae differed in plan from all others in the city – no anterooms were provided on either side of the ''[[caldarium]]'', for instance, since the building was too narrow. The building was oriented north–south so as to heat it using the sun, with principal entrances on the west side, where there was a flight of steps down from the hill's summit to the [[Campus Martius]], and on the middle of the north side. |
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As the main structure occupied all the space between the streets on the east and west, the ordinary [[peribolus]] was replaced by an enclosure across the front which was bounded on the north by a curved line, an area now occupied by the [[Palazzo della Consulta]]. The [[frigidarium]] seems to have its longer axis north and south instead of east and west, and behind it were tepidarium and caldarium both circular in shape. |
As the main structure occupied all the space between the streets on the east and west, the ordinary [[peribolus]] was replaced by an enclosure across the front which was bounded on the north by a curved line, an area now occupied by the [[Palazzo della Consulta]]. The ''[[frigidarium]]'' seems to have had its longer axis aligned north and south instead of east and west, and behind it were ''[[tepidarium]]'' and caldarium, both circular in shape. |
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The only reference to these baths in ancient literature is in [[Ammianus Marcellinus]],<ref>xxvii.3.8: cum collecta plebs infima domum prope Constantinianum lavacrum iniectis facibus incenderat</ref> though they are mentioned in the ''[[Einsiedeln Itinerary]]'' (1.10; 3.6; 7.11). |
The only reference to these baths in ancient literature is in [[Ammianus Marcellinus]],<ref>xxvii.3.8: cum collecta plebs infima domum prope Constantinianum lavacrum iniectis facibus incenderat</ref> though they are mentioned in the ''[[Einsiedeln Itinerary]]'' (1.10; 3.6; 7.11). |
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===5th century=== |
===5th century=== |
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The baths suffered greatly from fire and earthquake in the century after their construction |
The baths suffered greatly from fire and earthquake in the century after their construction. They were restored in 443 by the [[city prefect]] [[Petronius Perpenna Magnus Quadratinus]],<ref>{{CIL|6|1750}}</ref> at which time it is probable that the [[Horse Tamers|colossal statues of the Dioscuri and horses]], now in the [[Piazza del Quirinale]], were set up within them.<ref>''Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archaologischen Instituts, Romische Abteilung'', 1898, pp. 273‑274; 1900, pp. 309‑310</ref> The Baths of Constantine probably remained in use until the [[Gothic War (535–554)]], when all but one of the aqueducts to the city of Rome were cut by the [[Ostrogoths]]. |
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===Rediscovery=== |
===Rediscovery=== |
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Enough of the structure was standing at the beginning of the sixteenth century to permit |
Enough of the structure was standing at the beginning of the sixteenth century to permit plans and drawings by architects of that period; these are the chief sources of our knowledge of the building.<ref>See especially Serlio, ''Architettura'' iii.92; [[Palladio]], ''Le Terme'', pl. XIV.; Dupérac, ''Vestigii'', pl. 32; R. Lanciani, ''Storia degli Scavidi Roma'' (Rome, 1902-12), Vol. III, pp.196‑197; Ant. van den Wyngaerde, ''Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma'' 1895, pls. VI.-xiii.; H. Jordan, ''Topographie der Stadt Rom in Altertum'' (Berlin: 1906), Vol. I Part 3, p. 439 n 131</ref> The remains were almost entirely destroyed in 1605–1621 during the construction of the [[Palazzo Rospigliosi]], but some traces were found a century later,<ref>''Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma'', 1895, p. 88; H. Jordan, ''Topographie der Stadt Rom'', Vol. I, Part 3, p. 440, n133</ref> and since 1870.<ref>''Notizie degli Scavi di Antichita comunicate alla R. Accademia dei Lincei'' 1876, 55, 99; 1877, 204, 267; 1878, 233, 340</ref> Some of these can now be seen beneath the [[Casino dell'Aurora]]. |
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==Art works== |
==Art works== |
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Notable art works were found on the site of these thermae, among them: |
Notable art works were found on the site of these thermae, among them: |
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*The bronze statues of a [[Boxer of Quirinal|boxer]] and an |
*The bronze statues of a [[Boxer of Quirinal|boxer]] and an unidentified [[Hellenistic Prince]] now in the [[National Roman Museum|Palazzo Massimo alle Terme of the National Roman Museum]].<ref>{{cite book| title=A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome| author=Lawrence Richardson| publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press| year=1992| pages=390–391}}</ref> |
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*Two statues of Constantine, one now housed in the [[narthex]] of the [[Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano]], and the other in the [[Capitoline Museums]] with a statue of his son [[Constantius II]]<ref>{{CIL|6|1148}}, {{CIL|6|1149}}, {{CIL|6|1150}}; F. Matz and F. von Duhn, ''Antike Bildwerke in Rom'' (1881-1882), p. 1346; W. Helbig, ''Fuhrer durch die offentlichen Sammlungen Roms'', Third edition 3 (revised by Amelung), Vol. I p. 411</ref> |
*Two statues of Constantine, one now housed in the [[narthex]] of the [[Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano]], and the other in the [[Capitoline Museums]] with a statue of his son [[Constantius II]].<ref>{{CIL|6|1148}}, {{CIL|6|1149}}, {{CIL|6|1150}}; F. Matz and F. von Duhn, ''Antike Bildwerke in Rom'' (1881-1882), p. 1346; W. Helbig, ''Fuhrer durch die offentlichen Sammlungen Roms'', Third edition 3 (revised by Amelung), Vol. I p. 411</ref> |
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*Frescoes, in the [[Palazzo Rospigliosi]] until c.1929<ref>Matz-Duhn, p. 4110; ''Papers of the British School at Rome'' Vol. VII, pp. 40‑44; ''Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archaologischen Instituts, Romische Abteilung'', 1911, p. 149</ref> and now in the Museo delle Terme - these belong to an earlier building, perhaps the [[Domus Claudiorum]]. |
*Frescoes, in the [[Palazzo Rospigliosi]] until c.1929<ref>Matz-Duhn, p. 4110; ''Papers of the British School at Rome'' Vol. VII, pp. 40‑44; ''Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archaologischen Instituts, Romische Abteilung'', 1911, p. 149</ref> and now in the Museo delle Terme - these belong to an earlier building, perhaps the [[Domus Claudiorum]]. |
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*The allegorical statues of the Nile and Tiber rivers |
*The allegorical statues of the Nile and Tiber rivers flanking the staircase leading to the Palazzo Senatorio in the [[Piazza del Campidoglio]].<ref name="Virginia">{{cite news| url=http://archive1.village.virginia.edu/spw4s/RomanForum/GoogleEarth/AK_GE/AK_HTML/BT-003.html| title=Baths of Constantine| publisher=archive1.village.virginia.edu| access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> |
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*The oversized statues of [[Castor and Pollux]] |
*The oversized statues of [[Castor and Pollux]] known as the "[[Horse Tamers]]" which decorate the Fontana di Monte Cavallo in [[Piazza del Quirinale]].<ref name="Virginia"/> |
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<gallery class="center"> |
<gallery class="center"> |
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File: |
File:2016 Quirinale obelisk (Rome) 03.jpg|Castor & Pollux with their horses in Piazza del Quirinale |
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File:Boxer of Quirinal (Mys from Taranto) - Lateral View.jpg |
File:Boxer of Quirinal (Mys from Taranto) - Lateral View.jpg|Boxer at Rest |
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File:Seleucid prince Massimo Inv1049.jpg|Hellenistic Prince |
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File:Roman sculpture.jpg|The "Tiber" in the Campidoglio |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Commons category|Baths of Constantine}} |
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*[[List of Roman public baths]] |
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*[[List of ancient monuments in Rome]] |
*[[List of ancient monuments in Rome]] |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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*For the thermae in general, see H. Jordan, ''Topographie der Stadt Rom'', pp. |
*For the thermae in general, see H. Jordan, ''Topographie der Stadt Rom'', pp. 438‑441; ''Rheinisches Museum fur Philologie'', Neue Folge, 1894, 389‑392; Jord. II.526‑528; O. Gilbert, ''Geschichte und Topographie der Stadt Rom in Altertum'' (Leipzig 1883–1890), vol. III p. 300; ''[[Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft]]'', vol. IV, 962‑963; Reber, ''Die Ruinen Roms'', 2nd ed. (Leipzig, 1879), pp. 496‑500; Canina Ed. iv. pls. 220‑222; ''Memorie della Classe di Scienze Morali, Storiche e Philologiche della R. Accademia dei Lincei'', series 5, 17 (1909), pp. 534, 535. |
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*[ |
*[https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/_Texts/PLATOP*/Thermae_Constantinianae.html], from [[Platner's Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Baths Of Constantine (Rome)}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baths Of Constantine (Rome)}} |
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Latest revision as of 20:09, 3 August 2023
 Remains of the Baths of Constantine in the 16th century | |
   Baths of Constantine Shown in ancient Rome | |
 Click on the map for a fullscreen view | |
| Location | Rome, Italy |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°53′54″N 12°29′14″E / 41.8983°N 12.4873°E |
Baths of Constantine (Latin, Thermae Constantinianae) was a public bathing complex built on Rome's Quirinal Hill, beside the Tiber River, by Constantine I, probably before 315.[1]
Ancient Constantinople and Arles also had complexes known as Baths of Constantine.
History
[edit]Construction and plan
[edit]
The last of Rome's bath complexes, they were constructed in the irregular space enclosed by the vicus Longus, the Alta Semita, the clivus Salutis and the vicus laci Fundani. And as this was on a side-hill, it was necessary to demolish the 4th-century houses then on the site (beneath which are ruins of second- and third-century houses) and make an artificial level over their ruins.[2] Because of these peculiar conditions, these thermae differed in plan from all others in the city – no anterooms were provided on either side of the caldarium, for instance, since the building was too narrow. The building was oriented north–south so as to heat it using the sun, with principal entrances on the west side, where there was a flight of steps down from the hill's summit to the Campus Martius, and on the middle of the north side.
As the main structure occupied all the space between the streets on the east and west, the ordinary peribolus was replaced by an enclosure across the front which was bounded on the north by a curved line, an area now occupied by the Palazzo della Consulta. The frigidarium seems to have had its longer axis aligned north and south instead of east and west, and behind it were tepidarium and caldarium, both circular in shape.
The only reference to these baths in ancient literature is in Ammianus Marcellinus,[3] though they are mentioned in the Einsiedeln Itinerary (1.10; 3.6; 7.11).
5th century
[edit]The baths suffered greatly from fire and earthquake in the century after their construction. They were restored in 443 by the city prefect Petronius Perpenna Magnus Quadratinus,[4] at which time it is probable that the colossal statues of the Dioscuri and horses, now in the Piazza del Quirinale, were set up within them.[5] The Baths of Constantine probably remained in use until the Gothic War (535–554), when all but one of the aqueducts to the city of Rome were cut by the Ostrogoths.
Rediscovery
[edit]Enough of the structure was standing at the beginning of the sixteenth century to permit plans and drawings by architects of that period; these are the chief sources of our knowledge of the building.[6] The remains were almost entirely destroyed in 1605–1621 during the construction of the Palazzo Rospigliosi, but some traces were found a century later,[7] and since 1870.[8] Some of these can now be seen beneath the Casino dell'Aurora.
Art works
[edit]Notable art works were found on the site of these thermae, among them:
- The bronze statues of a boxer and an unidentified Hellenistic Prince now in the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme of the National Roman Museum.[9]
- Two statues of Constantine, one now housed in the narthex of the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, and the other in the Capitoline Museums with a statue of his son Constantius II.[10]
- Frescoes, in the Palazzo Rospigliosi until c.1929[11] and now in the Museo delle Terme - these belong to an earlier building, perhaps the Domus Claudiorum.
- The allegorical statues of the Nile and Tiber rivers flanking the staircase leading to the Palazzo Senatorio in the Piazza del Campidoglio.[12]
- The oversized statues of Castor and Pollux known as the "Horse Tamers" which decorate the Fontana di Monte Cavallo in Piazza del Quirinale.[12]
-
Castor & Pollux with their horses in Piazza del Quirinale -
Boxer at Rest -
Hellenistic Prince -
The "Tiber" in the Campidoglio -
The "Nile" in the Campidoglio -
Constantine in the Lateran Basilica
_03.jpg)
_-_Lateral_View.jpg)
See also
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Baths of Constantine.
Sources
[edit]- For the thermae in general, see H. Jordan, Topographie der Stadt Rom, pp. 438‑441; Rheinisches Museum fur Philologie, Neue Folge, 1894, 389‑392; Jord. II.526‑528; O. Gilbert, Geschichte und Topographie der Stadt Rom in Altertum (Leipzig 1883–1890), vol. III p. 300; Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft, vol. IV, 962‑963; Reber, Die Ruinen Roms, 2nd ed. (Leipzig, 1879), pp. 496‑500; Canina Ed. iv. pls. 220‑222; Memorie della Classe di Scienze Morali, Storiche e Philologiche della R. Accademia dei Lincei, series 5, 17 (1909), pp. 534, 535.
- [1], from Platner's Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome
References
[edit]- ^ Aurelius Victor Caes. 40: a quo ad lavandum institutum opus ceteris haud multo dispar; Not. Reg. VI
- ^ Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma 1876, pp. 102‑106
- ^ xxvii.3.8: cum collecta plebs infima domum prope Constantinianum lavacrum iniectis facibus incenderat
- ^ CIL VI, 1750
- ^ Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archaologischen Instituts, Romische Abteilung, 1898, pp. 273‑274; 1900, pp. 309‑310
- ^ See especially Serlio, Architettura iii.92; Palladio, Le Terme, pl. XIV.; Dupérac, Vestigii, pl. 32; R. Lanciani, Storia degli Scavidi Roma (Rome, 1902-12), Vol. III, pp.196‑197; Ant. van den Wyngaerde, Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma 1895, pls. VI.-xiii.; H. Jordan, Topographie der Stadt Rom in Altertum (Berlin: 1906), Vol. I Part 3, p. 439 n 131
- ^ Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma, 1895, p. 88; H. Jordan, Topographie der Stadt Rom, Vol. I, Part 3, p. 440, n133
- ^ Notizie degli Scavi di Antichita comunicate alla R. Accademia dei Lincei 1876, 55, 99; 1877, 204, 267; 1878, 233, 340
- ^ Lawrence Richardson (1992). A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome. Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 390–391.
- ^ CIL VI, 1148, CIL VI, 1149, CIL VI, 1150; F. Matz and F. von Duhn, Antike Bildwerke in Rom (1881-1882), p. 1346; W. Helbig, Fuhrer durch die offentlichen Sammlungen Roms, Third edition 3 (revised by Amelung), Vol. I p. 411
- ^ Matz-Duhn, p. 4110; Papers of the British School at Rome Vol. VII, pp. 40‑44; Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archaologischen Instituts, Romische Abteilung, 1911, p. 149
- ^ a b "Baths of Constantine". archive1.village.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
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