The Baths Of Diocletian-Roman Building Project

1. Latin and English name of the building: The English name is "The Baths Of Diocletian" and the Latin name is "Thermae Diocletiani". (Penelope.uchicago.edu)

2. Date(s) of the building: The frigidarium was redesigned in the 16th century as the Church's Nave by Michelangelo. "Luigi Vanvitell remodeled the church in the 18th century but was faithful to Michelangelo vision. (Fred S. Kleiner, 285)" Historians believe the building of the baths took place between Maximian's return to Rome in 298AD and the abdication Of Diocletian and Maximian on May 1st, 305Ad. (Fred S. Kleiner, 285)

3. Purpose of the building: The baths were not only used to bathe in but were also used for diplomatic purposes too. On a normal day, they were just used to bathe in, talk in, and there were separate rooms for lounging and dressing. The baths also had a select number of gardens on the premises. (Penelope.uchicago.edu) 

4. Significance of the building in the modern world/influences on the modern world: The baths now house one of the "city's most important archaeological museums, the Museo Nazionale Romano." (Fred S. Kleiner, 285)

5. Original building materials: There was a lot of brick, stone, and plaster (to imitate white marble) used.  (Penelope.uchicago.edu)

6. Architectural order and/or distinguishing features of the building: At the end of an approach there were two halls leading to the palaestra, at the end of one of the two was a huge and shallow bathing pool: open to the sky and the surrounding walls were decorated with murals.  "The interior columns, groin vaults, and elementary lighting gives a sense of the character of one of Rome's imperial thermae than any other building" (Fred S. Kleiner, 286)

7. Location of the building in Rome: The baths sit basically right in the middle of Rome and they are near the famous Chiostro di Michelangelo and the"Arch of Diocletian," which was also another on of Emperor Diocletian's creations. (pg. 285-286 & google maps)

8. Historical figures associated with the building: Emperor Diocletian was the one to construct the baths, and he did it to imitate the Baths of Caracalla. I believe Maximian also was there to help with construction but I couldn't find any information as to how he helped. (Fred S. Kleiner, 285-286)

9. Additional facts: The rooms organization was one of the big things that were modeled after the Baths of Caracalla, and so is the central hall to the baths. (Fred S. Kleiner, 285-287 & Penelope.uchicago.edu)    

10. Pictures:
   
The baths are no longer in use like they once were, but they are used as a museum and on the far end of the baths there is a hotel (Palazzo Montemartini Rome). There is also a Spa I believe to be a part of the hotel but I can't find if they are using the old baths or if they built one using present-day technology.  (Penelope.uchicago.edu & google maps)

Citations:
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/_Texts/PLATOP*/Thermae_Diocletiani.html
Google Maps for the location
Book: Fred S. Kleiner "A History of Roman Art" (Enhanced Edition)
https://www.google.com/search?q=pics+of+the+baths+of+diocletian&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwicxM6zzuvhAhUJgK0KHZCqA_MQ_AUIDigB&biw=1440&bih=789#imgrc=TcP40FdFiVtqDM:


By: Cat Grayson :3