Caracalla AD 198-217. Rome
Denarius AR

19 mm, 3,23 g

ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head right / P M TR P XVII COS IIII P P, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; to left, eagle standing left, head right.

Good Very Fine

RIC 240.

The Baths of Caracalla, completed in AD 216 during the reign of Emperor Caracalla, were one of ancient Rome’s largest and most impressive public bath complexes. Built on a vast scale, the baths could accommodate thousands of visitors and served as a center for socializing, exercising, and relaxation. The complex featured various facilities, including hot baths (caldarium), warm baths (tepidarium), cold baths (frigidarium), exercise areas (palaestrae), and an open-air swimming pool (natatio). The baths were also adorned with elaborate decorations, including intricate mosaics, frescoes, and grand statues. The Baths of Caracalla were supplied by a specially constructed aqueduct and heated by an advanced hypocaust system, showcasing the engineering prowess of the Romans. The baths were not just a place for hygiene but also a hub of social life, where Romans from all walks of life would gather. They reflected the wealth and power of the empire and the emperor's generosity. Although the baths fell into disuse after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, their ruins remain one of Rome's most famous archaeological sites, offering a glimpse into the grandeur and sophistication of Roman public life and architecture.