The Maritime Baths have the wrong name. In the past it was believed that they are identical with the Thermae Maritimae mentioned in an inscription (CIL XIV, 137). That inscription must refer to the Baths of the Marine Gate (IV,X,1-2) however. Probably Gavin Hamilton had already been digging here in the second half of the 18th century. The east part was excavated in 1865-1866 by Pietro Ercole Visconti, the west part in the years 1968-1973 by Maria Luisa Veloccia Rinaldi. The entrances and facades have not yet been excavated.
Part of the city wall was destroyed for the construction of the baths, c. 130 AD (opus mixtum). Heated rooms in the east part were added c. 210 AD (opus latericium). The latest modifications have been dated to the fourth century. At an unknown point in time two lime-kilns were installed in the ruins. Late burials of at least five children in amphorae were found in the west half.
Room A contains three furnaces. To the north-west is a large, heated swimming-pool (natatio B; 13.25 x 7.80 m.). On the north-west side four steps lead to the pool, on the other sides is one step or ridge. In the floor is a large hole (diam. 4 m.). According to Ludovico Paschetto, writing in 1912, a fountain was placed here, fastened with iron bars. Mariette de Vos has suggested (oral information) that it contained a bronze cauldron for boiling water ("samovar"), referring to parallels such as the natationes of the San Marco Villa at Stabiae, of the Terme Suburbane at Herculaneum, and of the Villa Giulia at Ventotene. In the long walls are rectangular and semicircular niches. The walls were decorated with white marble. The pool was reached from room G along a marble staircase. This may have been an apodyterium. A mosaic of athletes in room G is lost, but documented on old photos.
Plan of the baths. Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica.Rooms D, E and F were heated. The walls were decorated with coloured marble. Room D has a mosaic of Oceanus and Tritons, room E of Oceanus and Nereids on marine monsters. Room F has a curved wall. The mosaic floor in this room has largely disappeared since the excavation in the 19th century. In the apse a mosaic was found of Neptune, Amphitrite and winged cupids. In the remainder of the room was a mosaic of a trumpeter below a lamp or crown, vases on tables, boxing cupids, a victorious cupid holding a palm branch, and two athletes on either side of a prize table. On the prize table are a vessel and perhaps two boxing gloves. A palm branch is leaning against the table. The athlete on the left holds the palm of victory. On his head is a crown. The other athlete holds a smaller palm branch, perhaps the second prize.
Frigidarium H has a marble floor and basins on the short sides. The rooms of group I may have been dressing rooms. Room K was probably connected with an entrance. In the west part of the building is corridor L, with an east-west and north-south branch, separated by a late wall (not shown on the plan). The north-south branch leads to the sea. To the north of the corridor are the remains of the city wall (M-M). Room N has a curved back wall with a tripartite window, later blocked. On the floor a mosaic was found of Nereids on marine monsters, and perhaps Amphitrite. On the vault were Severan paintings with vegetative motifs and mythological figures, on the walls paintings from late antiquity, imitating marble. Room Z was an antechamber of N, with a geometric mosaic floor and painted walls. On the walls of several rooms are remains of paintings of vegetation on a red background.
Room O was a service corridor. In understairs P paintings on a yellow background were found. In hall Q are rows of piers. In the two rooms R paintings of red geometric motifs on a white background were found. Area T seems to have been the palaestra. The cluster of rooms U-V-W consists of rooms used for the water supply, a latrine and two late lime kilns. Corridor X, near the sea, is at a lower level. Finally we may note service corridor C, and service area Y with furnaces.
Many graffiti were found in the building, including drawings of a ship and a lighthouse, part of the alphabet, and - in Greek - the name Secunda.
It seems that Gavin Hamilton found a statue of Venus, now in the British Museum. Four reliefs with Labours of Hercules, now in the Vatican (Museo Pio Clementino, Sala degli Animali) were found in a lime kiln in this area.
Photos
The south-west part of the baths.
Photo: Klaus Heese.
The south-east part of the baths.
Photo: Klaus Heese.
Room B, seen from the south.
Photo: Jan Theo Bakker.
Room B, the hole for a fountain or rather a bronze cauldron in the floor, seen from the north.
Photo: Jan Theo Bakker.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Room D, mosaic of Oceanus and Tritons.
Photo: John Henry Parker, nr. 1846, taken between 1864 and 1877 (BNF, Gallica).
Room D, mosaic of Oceanus and Tritons.
Photo: SO IV, Tav. 146.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Room E, mosaic of Oceanus and Nereids on marine monsters.
Photo: John Henry Parker, nr. 1845, taken between 1864 and 1877 (BNF, Gallica).
Room E, mosaic of Oceanus and Nereids on marine monsters.
Photo: SO IV, Tav. 145.
Room F, seen from the north.
Photo: Klaus Heese.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Room F, the mosaic floor (today largely destroyed).
Photo: John Henry Parker, nr. 1844, taken between 1864 and 1877 (BNF, Gallica).
Room F, athletes and prize table.
Photo: Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica.
Room F, detail of the prize table.
Photo: Klaus Heese.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Room G, mosaic of athletes (lost).
Photo: John Henry Parker, nr. 1843, taken between 1864 and 1877 (BNF, Gallica).
Click on the image to enlarge.
Room G, mosaic of athletes (lost).
Photo: John Henry Parker, nr. 1842, taken between 1864 and 1877 (BNF, Gallica).
Room H, seen from the west.
Photo: Klaus Heese.
Room H, seen from the north.
Photo: Klaus Heese.
Drawing of the paintings on the vault of room N.
Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica.
Drawing of a wall-painting of vegetation.
Baccini Leotardi 1978, fig. 10.
The baths on an old etching.
The baths on an old etching.
The statue of Venus, now in the British Museum.
Photo: British Museum.
