The Roman castrum Potaissa , belonged to Macedonian 5 Legion, and was built in the year 168.
The bath complex that was located near covers an area of over half of hectare.
The unusual thickness of the walls which were built of brick and stone, and the vaults built of Roman concrete, had contributed to the conservation of the remnants of the “thermae” for a long period of time.
The building was equipped with facilities needed to convey, heat and distribute water, spillways, and a “hypocaustum” system.
A hypocastum is a system used for heating rooms with hot air circulating under the floor and in the walls.
The water came from wells and the springs located in the Sandulesti and Copaceni area.
The specific areas of Roman baths were identified as:
- apodyterium- a room used for undressing
- frigidaria - cold water pools
- tepidaria - rooms heated with warm air
- caldaria- warm water pools
- latrinae
Near these chambers, there was a large hall of 1 800 square meters, used for physical exercise, palestra.
Several statues of gods(Hercules, Serapis) that decorated the chambers and courtyards were found. Also, shrines dedicated to health deities like Aesculapius and Hygia, and to the goddess Fortuna.
If you want to read part one - Principia click here.
The next thing on the list the History Museum from Turda with holds some findings from the Potaissa Roman Castrum.
