Contents 1 History 2 Modern steam baths 3 See also 4 Footnotes

[edit] History

A steambath is an ancient type of bath, first made popular by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The origins of the steam bath come from the Roman bath, which began during the height of the Roman Empire. Ancient Roman baths served many community and social functions within Roman society. Everyone in Rome used Roman public baths, regardless of socioeconomic status. These Roman baths were supplied by natural hot springs from beneath the ground^[1].

Historical parts of a spa – Roman, medieval, Georgian and Victorian have been restored in Bath, England and is available as a public bath or Thermae.^[2].

[edit] Modern steam baths

Today, natural steam baths still exist, and often still use similar systems that the Romans used, which contain pipes and pumps that bring water up and into the large pool areas, wherever the natural springs exist. Heaters are also now used to maintain warm temperatures in the baths.

There are many different types of steam baths, which are different than a sauna. (Both are hot, but the steam in a sauna is created by throwing water on a stove.) ^[3]

Some forms of steambath are referred to as Turkish baths, steam rooms, or steam showers.

[edit] See also

• Banya (sauna) -- A Russian steambath
• Public bathing
• Steam shower
• Thermae
• Steam room

[edit] Footnotes

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