Ancient Roman architecture of being in their houses, as they instead would go to public baths, and engage in other communal activities. Many lighthouses were built around the Mediterranean and the coasts of the empire, including the Tower of Hercules at A Coruña in northern Spain, a structure which survives to this day. A smaller lighthouse at Dover, England also exists as a ruin about half the height of the original. The light would have been provided by a fire at the top of the structure. All Roman cities had at least one thermae, a popular facility for public bathing, exercising and socializing.
Thermae A public bath was built around three principal rooms: the "caldarium" (hot bath), the "tepidarium" (warm bath) and the "frigidarium" (cold bath). Some "thermae" also featured steam baths: the "sudatorium", a moist steam bath, and the "laconicum", a dry hot room much like a modern sauna. By way of illustration, this article will describe the layout of Pompeii's Old Baths adjoining the forum, which are among some of the best-preserved Roman baths. The references are to the floor plan pictured to the right. The whole building comprises a double set of baths, one for men and the other for women.