This monographstudies the architectural history of ancient public toilets, called foricae.Using comparative data and historical, archaeological and literary sources,this comprehensive analysis of foricae offers a deeper understanding oftheir origin in the Hellenistic period. It also examines their diffusion in theancient Roman world through advances in hydraulic technology and buildingtechniques. Foricae became characteristic features ofmany Roman cities, playing an important civic and hygienic role. The study oftheir features reveals various plans, of which the peristyle is undoubtedly themost original. The independent andfreestanding peristyle forica of Kos (Greece) is the most opulentexample, and the exhaustive survey of the peristyle foricae of theHadrianic Baths of Lepcis Magna (Libya) and of Gortyn (Crete-Greece) prove theimportance of this typology in the history of functional architecture in theRoman Empire.
- | Author: Antonella Patricia Merletto
- | Publisher: British Archaeological Reports (Oxford) Ltd
- | Publication Date: Jul 10, 2023
- | Number of Pages: 310 pages
- | Language: English
- | Binding: Paperback
- | ISBN-10: 1407360450
- | ISBN-13: 9781407360454