Caracalla Baths,  Rome

The Emperor Caracalla began in 212AD the largest baths that Rome had ever seen. The baths functioned for about 300 years and could host 1.600 bathers: the poorest were not excluded, although they had fewer slaves then the rich to assist them. The sober exterior contrast with the rich interior: floor paved with mosaics and marble, walls covered with mosaics and gilded with stucco works.