Baths have long been the ancestor of modern SPA procedures. It has long been known that the main cause of skin aging is gradual dehydration. The modern SPA technique is aimed specifically at restoring the skin’s moisture balance.
The history of the bath is rooted in antiquity. Studying the past of mankind, archaeologists find many remains of buildings that were intended for body care.
Baths of different peoples of the world differed not only in structural elements, but also in water procedures, the use of heat, and bathing traditions. However, their purpose was the same – the baths were used not only for body hygiene. Since ancient times, people have used the bathhouse for religious rituals, for the treatment of diseases and the prevention of diseases, body care, for relaxation and communication.
H2 Egyptian baths
The Egyptians already about 6 thousand years ago attached great importance to the purity of the body and used baths everywhere. At first, Egyptian baths consisted of stone or clay baths or basins that were filled up and emptied with the help of copper drain pipes and hot water was not used for ablutions.
Over time, the Egyptian baths acquired an original device, which was later used by the Romans. During excavations of an ancient Egyptian city, archaeologists discovered the remains of an ancient bathhouse. Blazing hearths were installed in the basement, and on the upper tier there were stone beds heated from below by hot air through special holes. There was also a pool with cool water in the steam room, where city dwellers took subsequent ablutions.
They used a mixture of water and beeswax as soap. After washing they massaged with aromatic oils and rubbed with sand brought from the banks of the Nile. Egyptian papyri depict the manipulation of therapeutic massage in baths.
H2 Baths in Ancient Greece
Baths were round, in the middle of the room was an open hearth, which heated the room. There was also a swimming pool and baths. There were no drains and so the water had to be scooped out of the pool and tubs.
The history of ancient Greece tells us that Alexander the Great, returning from his campaign to Egypt, ordered the construction of the same baths as those in Egypt. Under his rule, baths of the Oriental type with the same hot floors spread in Ancient Greece.
The baths in the cities of Greece were also therapeutic places, where people were cured of their ailments and were available to all, including the poor.
H2 Roman baths
Also known as Roman thermae. A symbol of the history and culture of ancient Rome are the Roman baths. The Romans simply could not imagine life without a bath. “Bath, love and joy, till our old age we are together” – this is the inscription on the wall of an ancient building which survived until our days.
The rulers of Rome did not spare any money for the construction of baths. The most expensive materials were imported, architects sophisticated in their art. Often the luxury of a Roman bath exceeded that of a palace. The thermae of Rome were decorated with a whole system of waterfalls and fountains, sculptural compositions, marble columns, suspended gardens, baths swinging, and paintings on the walls. The basins and utensils in the ancient Roman baths were made of silver and gold.
Romans not only bathed in the baths, but also talked, drew, read poetry, sang and had feasts. The baths had rooms for massages, areas for physical exercises and sports and libraries. There were many fountains, baths and pools. The bathing complex was equipped with a heating system which heated the water and heated the floor. Rich Romans visited the bath twice a day.
Already in those days the ancient Romans used contrast dousing, i.e. alternating immersion in hot and cold water.
H2 Turkish hammam
The first Turkish baths appeared in Constantinople. Roman thermae served as a prototype of the Turkish baths. Outside, the Turkish baths had dome-shaped vaults with many through holes, marble structures with high columns and lanterns on the ceiling. The hammam (oriental bath) very soon became the center of social life.
The floors and walls of the eastern baths were covered with very beautiful faience tiles; water poured from bronze taps into large marble basins where women poured from silver and gold basins. There were no baths in the baths at that time because of the superstition that there were evil spirits in standing water.
The Turkish bath still consists of five basic steps: warming up the body, vigorous massage, cleansing the skin with a mitten, soaping and dousing with water and the final stage – relaxation.
H2 Japanese bath
The history of the Japanese bath dates back to the thermal springs, “onsen”. Because of the volcanic terrain, thermal springs are abundant in Japan. Raw climate and rather harsh winters accustomed the Japanese to wash with very hot water. And where there is hot water, there is steam. This gradually led to the emergence of baths. The first mention of them dates back to about 800 AD.
Japan is in many ways a country of ceremonies. Bathing was also a special ceremony. It began with a large wooden font filled with hot water, the furako. A special chair was set up inside the font, and a man sat on it with immersion in water up to his chest. A special hat, moistened with cold water, was necessarily put on his head. A barrel-drop was established on the stove, water was heated up to 40-45 degrees. This way they relaxed and rested for 10 minutes. Then moved on to the next stage.
H2 Russian bath
Also called a steam bath, was known among the Slavs already in V-VI centuries. The bathhouse was used by everyone: the princes, and nobles, and common people. In addition to its purely functional purpose, the bath played a major role in various rituals. For example, the old Russian bathhouse was considered essential on the eve of the wedding and the other day of the wedding, and a visit to the bathhouse was accompanied by a special ceremony.
Home baths were heated only once a week, on Saturdays, and therefore Saturdays were considered bathing days, and even the offices did not work on them. Usually entire families bathed in the home bathhouse at the same time, men and women bathed together.
Russian bathhouse had long ago won recognition in the world. Thousands of people daily turn to this simple proven method to maintain their beauty, health, good spirits and vitality.
H3 Conclusion
Baths of different peoples of the world differed not only in elements of designs, but also in water procedures, use of heat, bathing traditions. However, their purpose was the same – baths were used not only for hygiene of the body. Since ancient times, people used the bath for religious rituals, for the treatment of diseases and disease prevention, for body care, for rest and communication.
Author’s bio: Jean Hartley is a professional writer for essay writing services. For 6 years now, she has been helping students learn to write correctly, and also assists in preparing for exams.
