Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/42

30 another space of 14 in., and then a double pier, much beyond which the workman could not proceed for the wet and slush; the passage turns slightly southward and declines rapidly and no doubt communicates with the actual furnace, which for the sake of the draught would be on a lower level; this slope or inclination agrees also with the instructions of Vitruvius. The doorway at the east end of the laconicum would communicate with the calidarium, or if the room in question had been large enough for both purposes, then with the tepidarium, from which again would be a doorway to the frigidarium. The other portion of the east end with its recess served for the pulvinus, this most probably also extended round the alcove at the west end.

I have thus attempted to give to those who have not had the opportunity of viewing these curious remains a rather minute description, and I add here some suggestions as to what in all probability are the chambers that remain hidden under the adjoining buildings. The tepidarium and frigidarium at least may be expected, either of these in small establishments answered the purpose of the "spoliatorium" or "apodyterium," the place for undressing. In the tepidarium of the thermæ of the provincial city of Pompeii there were a series of niches round the sides of the chamber formed by projections faced by "atlantes" supporting a deep cornice from which the vaulting sprang, in these recesses the garments of the bathers were deposited, some of the bronze hooks may still be seen in the walls; for it is to be remembered that the bathers were not permitted to go into the inner rooms with their clothes on, and especially with sandals or shoes on the finer mosaics, the most elaborate of which was always in the inner apartment, the laconicum and calidarium. To the frigidarium there was generally more than one access from the portico and atrium, but the only access to the interior rooms was through the outer ones, in order to be able to graduate the temperature for those retiring from bathing, and also more easily to keep the inner room at the required heat; in the laconicum this was assisted by the "clypeus," or shield of bronze used for closing the aperture in the domed ceiling, and moved up and down by a bronze chain. Supposing therefore the other rooms mentioned to have extended eastward behind the laconicum in the order named and of proportionate size, it may be calculated that the series would require 40 ft. at least in