Thermae thieves and pickpockets were known to frequent the baths. The changing room was known as the "apodyterium" (from Greek "apodyterion" from "apoduein" "to take off"). In many ways, baths were the ancient Roman equivalent of community centres. Because the bathing process took so long, conversation was necessary. Many Romans would use the baths as a place to invite their friends to dinner parties, and many politicians would go to the baths to convince fellow Romans to join their causes. The thermae had many attributes in addition to the baths. There were libraries, rooms for poetry readings, and places to buy
Roman Thermae (Varna) and Baths of Diocletian in the imperial capital Rome and the baths of Trier. The thermae are the largest in the Balkan region and the biggest surviving ancient building in what is today Bulgaria. The Roman Thermae of Varna feature the whole range of facilities including a "apodyterium" (changing room), a "frigidarium" (cold pool), a "tepidarium" (warm pool) and a "caldarium" (hot pool) as well as a "palaestra" (a space with social and athletic functions). Heating was provided by means of a hypocaust, an underfloor heating system of pipes. Roman Thermae (Varna) The Roman Thermae (, "Rimski termi") are a