Opulent Private Spa Fit For A Roman 'Billionaire' Discovered In Pompeii
Opulent Private Spa Fit For A Roman 'Billionaire' Discovered In Pompeii. Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered a luxurious private spa and bath complex that would've belonged to the Roman equivalent of today's billionaire elite. It is one of the private bath complexes ever found in Pompeii, and is located within a grand Roman house in Insula 10 of Regio IX. The baths, directly annexed to a banquet hall, offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyles of Pompeii's elite prior to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The complex includes a calidarium, tepidarium, frigidarium (hot, warm, and cold rooms), and an apodyterium (changing room), capable of accommodating up to 30 people. A striking feature is the cold room, centred around a 10x10 metre peristyle courtyard with a large pool. This discovery highlights the significance of baths in Roman culture. The baths were closely connected to the triclinium (banquet hall), reflecting practices described in Roman literature. The owner of the house, believed to have been a prominent local figure, would have used these spaces to host lavish banquets, enhancing their social status and political influence. These gatherings served not only as private events but also as public displays of wealth and power. Temporary support structures ensuring the preservation of the colonnade will remain in place until future restoration projects begin.
