The bathing complex in this house can be reached only through the door from the adjoining cubiculum. It is common for sleeping/bathing suites to be among the most secluded, and intricately decorated, spaces in the house, since this is where the owner (dominus) would entertain his most privileged guests. This bath features a rectangular cold plunge (frigidarium) and a circular hot basin (caldarium), under the dome. In keeping with Roma decorative practices, a mixture of highly explicit erotic scenes and marine mythology (especially Venus) is found here. Art historians have argued that sexual scenes in baths were both entertaining and quasi-magical, in that they helped turn aside the Evil Eye of envy when bathers were naked and vulnerable.
This room was designed and decorated by Danis Copenhaver.
bath view #1
