Baths of Licinius Sura, Ancient Roman bath complex on Aventine Hill, Rome, Italy
The Baths of Licinius Sura was a bathing complex on Aventine Hill featuring separate wings for hot and cold water immersion, steam rooms, and fitness areas. The facility drew water from the Aqua Marcia aqueduct and was designed specifically for wealthy residents.
The complex underwent restoration during the reign of Gordian III and required repairs after the sacking of Rome by Alaric I in 410. These events demonstrate how political upheaval affected the city's public buildings.
These baths served Rome's upper classes as a social hub where people exercised, cleaned themselves, and conducted business conversations. Such venues were everyday gathering places that shaped how residents spent their leisure time.
The site is located near the church of Santa Prisca, where remnants of the Aqua Marcia aqueduct can still be seen in the surrounding area. No visible structures remain standing, so understanding the local geography helps with orientation.
According to the marble map Forma Urbis Romae, an unidentified temple stood adjacent to the baths, possibly dedicated to the moon goddess Luna or the vegetation god Vertumnus. This hidden connection reveals how closely religious sites clustered in this part of the city.
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