Baths of Decius

About

The Baths of Decius (Latin: thermae Decianae) were a complex of thermae (baths) built on the Aventine Hill in Rome by Emperor Decius in 249 or 252. The site lies between the present-day locations of the churches of Santo Alessio and Santa Prisca, on the Vigna Torlonia, beneath piazza del Tempio di Diana (named after the Temple of Diana) and the Casale Maccharini Torlonia, which contains remains from the baths. Some additional ruins of the baths also survive.

Earlier structures on the site have also left remains, visible in the basement of the Casale Torlonia and under the piazza del Tempio di Diana. These buildings display a technique resembling opus quasi reticulatum, along with traces of a decorative scheme of painted stucco imitating marble in the Pompeian First Style, the oldest evidence of this style in Rome, dating to the last quarter of the 2nd century BC. Another building on the site is lavishly decorated with mosaics and wall-paintings depicting masks, flowers, and landscapes.

It dates to the Trajanic period and may have been the Privata Traiani, Trajan's private residence before he became emperor, which is known to have been located in the area, or one of Decius' own residences...