Unlike the other public baths in the city, the Suburban Baths were located outside the city walls near the Porta Marina, one of the entrance gates. This was because by the time of their construction, land outside the city walls became more readily available. Additionally, these baths benefited from the improved water supply after the Aqua Augusta aqueduct was connected to the city.
Interestingly, the Suburban Baths were primarily used by a private clientele rather than the general public. Despite their public ownership, they offered a more exclusive experience. One notable feature of this bathhouse is its collection of surviving erotic wall paintings. These captivating artworks, depicting explicit scenes such as group and oral sex, are the only set of their kind found in a public Roman bathhouse.
The Suburban Baths were a two-storey structure. The upper floor, divided into three apartments, offered breathtaking views of the port and the Bay of Naples through large glass windows. These rooms may have also served for the sale of certain services. The lower floor included various rooms with increasing warmth, promoting a specific route through the baths and surrounding a palaestra. The construction of the baths demonstrated a higher standard of luxury and thermal efficiency compared to earlier bathhouses in Pompeii.
As you enter the bathhouse through a long corridor, you will find yourself in the apodyterium, or dressing room. Within this room, you will discover the intriguing erotic wall paintings. These paintings, located directly above numbered boxes, potentially served as a way for bathers to remember the location of their belongings. It is thought that these explicit scenes were meant to provide amusement or humor to visitors, as they depict sexual acts considered "debased" according to the customs of ancient Rome.
The Suburban Baths offer a fascinating glimpse into the culture and openness of Roman society. Despite the presence of these erotic paintings in a public bathhouse that both men and women frequented, they were not considered offensive but rather seen as a source of amusement. So, let's continue our journey and explore other remarkable sites here in Pompeii!
