The Licinian Baths (
Arabic
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...
:حمام كارك) are a classified monument in the city of
Beja in the
north-west of Tunisia. Located in the ruins of the ancient settlement of
Dougga, they represent one of the most important thermal establishments in
Roman Africa
Roman Africa may refer to the following areas of Northern Africa which were part of the Imperium Romanum and/or the Western/Byzantine successor empires :
; in the unified Roman empire :
* Africa (Roman province), with the great metropolis Cartha ...
.
History
The baths were donated to the city by the
Licinii family in the 3rd century, during the reign of
Caracalla
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (born Lucius Septimius Bassianus, 4 April 188 – 8 April 217), better known by his nickname "Caracalla" () was Roman emperor from 198 to 217. He was a member of the Severan dynasty, the elder son of Emperor S ...
, between 212 and 217. They were primarily used as winter baths.
The baths were classified as a national monument by the
National Heritage Institute
National may refer to:
Common uses
* Nation or country
** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen
Places in the United States
* National, Maryland, ce ...
on 16 November 1928.
Architecture
The baths' walls are well preserved today. Also, the tunnel that the baths' slaves used to circulate through is still present in a good situation.
The frigidarium has triple arcades at both ends and large windows with views over the valley beyond.
File:Licinian baths 02.jpg, View of the baths
File:Residential Ruins Near the Licinian Baths at Dougga - isawnyu.jpg, Residential ruins near the Licinian Baths
File:Dougga site archéologique en Tunisie - 13295842763.jpg, Entrance of the baths
References
*
{{coord, 36.422, 9.219, type:landmark_region:TN, display=title
World Heritage Sites in Tunisia
Roman sites in Tunisia
Dougga
Article from DouggaPedia project
Ancient Roman baths