A dictionary of Greek and Roman . omens baths of the opulent and luxurious capital,the solia were sometimes made of silver. ( N. xxxiii. 12. s. 54.) We now turn to the opposite extremity of thechamber which contains the Laconicum or va-pour bath, so called becatise it was the custom ofthe Lacedaemonians to strip and anoint themselveswithout using warm water after the perspirationproduced by their athletic exercises. (Dion Cass. 516 ; comp. Martial. Epig. vi. 42. 16.) It istermed assa by Cicero {Ad Quint. Frat. iii. 1. § 1),from a(a), to diy ; because it produced pe
A dictionary of Greek and Roman . omens baths of the opulent and luxurious capital,the solia were sometimes made of silver. ( N. xxxiii. 12. s. 54.) We now turn to the opposite extremity of thechamber which contains the Laconicum or va-pour bath, so called becatise it was the custom ofthe Lacedaemonians to strip and anoint themselveswithout using warm water after the perspirationproduced by their athletic exercises. (Dion Cass. 516 ; comp. Martial. Epig. vi. 42. 16.) It istermed assa by Cicero {Ad Quint. Frat. iii. 1. § 1),from a(a), to diy ; because it produced perspira-tion by means of a dry, hot atmosphere ; whichCelsus (iii. cap. ult.) consequently terms sudationeassas, dry sweating, which he afterwards adds(xi. 17) was produced by dry warmth (coloresicco). It was called by the Greeks irvpiaiTr)pioi>(Voss. Lex. Etym. s. v.) from the fire of the hypo-caust, which was extended under it; and hence byAlexander Aphrodis. t^phv So\6v, a dry vaultedchamber. Vitruvius says that its width should be equal. to its height, reckoning from the flooring (suspendsura) to the bottom of the thole (imam curvaturan, 192 BALNEAE. BALNEAE. hemisphaerii), over the centre of which an orifice isleft, from which a bronze shield (clipeus) was sus-pended. This regulated the temperature of theapartment, being raised or lowered by means ofchains to which it was attached. The form of thecell was required to be circular, in order that thewarm air from the Irypocaust might encircle it withgreater facility. (Vitruv. v. 10.) In accordancewith these rules is the Laconicum at Pompeii, asection of which is given in the previous page,the clipeus only being added in order make themeaning more clear. A, The suspended pavement, suspensura ; B. thejunction of the hemisphaerium with the side walls,ima curvatura hemisphaerii; C, the shield, clipeus ;E and F, the chains by which it is raised andlowered ; D, a labrum, or flat marble vase, intowhich a supply of water was intro
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