Bathhouse Thieves

Right next to the temple of Sulis Minerva, the Romans built a huge bathing complex. They built an intricate system of pipes, sewers, sluices and drains to transport water from the hot spring towards the baths in the complex. There were hot baths, cold baths, steam rooms and exercise rooms, which were all part of the experience. To Romans, going to the bathhouse was an essential part of daily life. The bathhouse of Aquae Sulis was so large it must have attracted visitors from far and wide.

The dressing rooms of such a big bathhouse were attractive locations for thieves. Wealthier Romans could bring a slave to mind their possessions while they bathed, but most people had to leave their belongings in the dressing room unattended - making them easy targets for thieves. Take Solinus, for example. He reported the theft of his cloak and bathing tunic, the clothes one usually wears for a bathhouse visit. Tabula Sulis 32. He was understandably angry to discover they had been stolen, and wanted to do something. He would probably never get them back, but he wanted the thief to be punished at least! Luckily, he did not need to go far (in his underpants…) - he went to the temple next door, where they could help him with that.