Neptune Baths

The Baths of Neptune, located in the Roman city of Ostia, are a thermal complex dating back to the end of the 1st century AD, with important reconstructions carried out under the emperor Hadrian and completed in 139 AD by the emperor Antoninus Pius. These baths, known for their magnificent mosaics, represent one of the most significant examples of Roman thermal architecture and reflect the sophisticated culture of well-being of the time. The baths cover an area of approximately 67 x 67 meters and are organized around a series of typical thermal rooms. The visitors’ path began with the passage through two rooms decorated with figurative mosaics, leading to the frigidarium, the room for cold baths, with mosaic floors and pools. From there, visitors proceeded to the heated rooms, the tepidaria, and finally to the calidarium, the room for hot baths, also equipped with pools and decorated with intricate mosaics. One of the most distinctive elements of the Baths of Neptune is the mosaic decoration. Made in black and white, these mosaics depict a wide range of marine and mythological subjects. The mosaic that gave the complex its name depicts Neptune on a chariot pulled by sea horses, surrounded by tritons, nereids, and sea creatures. Other notable mosaics include Amphitrite on a sea horse and Scylla with long tentacles, fighting against sea monsters. The western area of the complex was occupied by a large gymnasium, surrounded on three sides by a portico with marble columns. This open space was used for sports activities, and the gymnasium floor was equipped with travertine blocks with holes to fix sports equipment. Athletes are depicted in a mosaic located in the room adjacent to the gymnasium, showing boxers with spiky gloves and wrestlers in various poses. In addition to the baths and gymnasium, the baths also housed residential apartments on the upper floors, with independent entrances. This detail emphasizes how the baths were not only places for bathing and physical activity, but also multifunctional social and residential spaces. The Baths of Neptune were renovated until the 4th century AD, adapting to the social and religious changes of the time. An example of this adaptation is a mosaic in the transition room, decorated with Christian symbols such as grape clusters, a cross, and Greek letters forming the acronym for Jesus Christ. This mosaic suggests that, despite the lack of official recognition of Christianity, the new religion already had a significant presence in Roman society. The discovery of the Baths of Neptune and their mosaics was made possible thanks to archaeological excavations conducted in the 19th and 20th centuries. The baths were excavated by Rodolfo Lanciani in 1888 and later by Dante Vaglieri in 1909 and 1910. The excavations revealed not only the architecture of the complex, but also numerous artifacts, including portraits of unidentified men, Plotina (wife of Trajan), and Septimius Severus, which are now displayed at the National Roman Museum in Rome.