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Hi,
I am sure I read a source somewhere which stated that some more modest (or self conscious) people wore a linen shift in the bath house rather than bathe completely naked. Does anyone have any info regarding this ?
Thanks in advance
Memmia AKA Joanne Wenlock.
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As Jona says, most of the evidence tends towards naked bathing at all times. The latin word nudus doesn't necessarily mean completely naked, but rather 'undressed' - soldiers without their arms and belts are described as nudus, and they're still wearing tunics. Mosaic pictures of bathers do show both them and the attendant slaves as completely naked, though.
There are a couple of references to some kind of bath costume - Alexander Severus (as much of a prude as a Roman could be, with his prohibition of men and women bathing together!) is described as returning to the palace from the baths 'in his bathing-costume, retaining only this much of the emperor, namely, that he put on a scarlet cloak' (Hist Aug Alexander Severus 42), and Dio mentions that when Caracalla's tutor Cilo is arrested at the baths he is wearing only 'low slippers' and 'a short tunic' (Dio 78.4). But both these items of clothing might have been worn in the palaestra outside the baths, for exercising, rather than inside the bathhouse itself.
- Nathan
Nathan Ross
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Wasnt it Vespasianus who forbade mixed bathing because of indecent behaviour ?
M.VIB.M.
Bushido wa watashi no shuukyou de gozaru.
Katte Kabuto no O wo shimeyo!
H.J.Vrielink.
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Hi everyone!
Thankyou so so much for your replies to this. 8)
I cannot remember where I read the info about the linen shift that's why I asked just in case anyone else had seen it.
I am building up a 'bath house' collection for demonstration/ education purposes at our heritage site (Letocetum) and wanted as much info as possible.
All of this info is absolutely great.It will be good to quote this too rather than just go through a standard bath house repertoire.
Brilliant!
Thanks again to all of you
Memmia AKA Joanne Wenlock.
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