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A bath anterior to the ancient forum of Thessaloniki

• Αδάμ - Βελένη, Πολυξένη

Excavation works undertaken in November ’96 at the southeastern boundariesof this archaeological site revealed parts of what had once been a heating furnace, aheated swimming pool and a semi-circular part of a round hall with bathing basinspertaining a greater complex of facilities on the corners of Filippou and AgnostouStratiotou streets. The other half of the basins hall - along with more parts of theswimming pool to the east and another hall to the north of the bath came to light inthe summer of ’97. A doorway allowed for communication between such two hallsthe floor of both of which is covered with similar mosaic patterns. Excavationworks in the center of the round hall further unearthed a construction used as ahearth. The bathing basins are made of stones and clay-bricks and further appliedwith hydraulic mortar. To be noted that similar round halls with bathing basins havebeen discovered in gymnasiums and valania of both the classical and the hellenisticperiod. Historical texts and accounts of the time typically refer to such constructionsas “tholi” (anc. gr. = domes) a name clearly reflecting the mode adoptedfor the roofing of such constructions. According to Vitruvius, a copper discoveredloophole was arranged in the center of such domes opening and closing in such away as to control circulation of the steam. The ruins thus discovered are parts of ahellenistic-style valanion also popular in Roman times as part of lavish thermaefacilities. Such rooms were used for sweating purposes: laconicum or pyratirion wasthe name given to such facilities wherein steam was generated by pouring waterover burning-hot stones. This facility was destroyed by fire at the time of Nero orslightly later.The state of destruction of the premises appears to be the same at the site of theexcavation in the northern part of the round bath. Tens of objects discoveredunderneath the ashes are evocative of the use of the premises. Large quantities ofbovine, fish and bird bones reveal the type of food that peopled the luxuriousbanquets of the bathers. Tens of small and big vases were also discovered, some ofthem typical of the equipment used in symposia. Many a glassware vases of variousforms and colors evidence the existence in the area of a highly productive localmanufacture. From the way the layers of the various findings were arranged, it maybe deduced that this voluminous rectangular construction also disposed of an elevation.Among such findings noticeable are those of some oil-lamps of exquisitequality shaped after animals, a large number of earthen statuettes, a considerablenumber of theater masks as well as two objects that helped determine the use of such premises more accurately: a reddish vase with a penis-shaped nozzle and reliefdecorations of vine-trees and insects among impressed decorations with Hermeseffigies as well as a phallus similacrum with a mobile stem. Also revealed in the areawas a glassware vase bearing relief representations of the Fortune holding the Hornof Plenty.All such findings lead to the conclusion that what the habitués of this facilitypursued was a relaxing bath, a meal as well as various services catering for theirsexual pleasures. Known though such facilities —combining baths and a house ofloose morals— were from various sources, only a limited number of such installationshave to this day been located.Unearthing of this new structure did understandably entail a series of questions,referring to the identity of the construction and its use —most particularly whetherthis is an individual valaneion or a simpler version of such, eventually forming partof a greater complex of a gymnasium of wrestling stadium, as the existence of thetwo swimming pools suggests. One way or another, this is the oldest visible constructiondating from the post-hellenistic era of Thessaloniki, all the more since itsuse has been confirmed since the 1st century BC. This same construction couldeventually be correlated with a first form of forum dating from the years of reign ofAugustus which was later leveled —after falling to ruins— to make room for theforum of the Antonini era.The structural islet discovered in the 1st century BC bath may not have sufferedany conversion of use during the imperial years although it did undergo a new designunder new principles.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

Αγορά, Θεσσαλονίκη, συνέδρια

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