Balnea metallicorum of ancient Domavia

Abstract

The bathing complex in Domavia (near modern Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina), drew our attention as one of the most interesting and yet still unexplored bathing complexes at the territory of the ancient Roman province of Dalmatia. It was discovered more than a hundred years ago by Ljudevit Pogatschnig during the excavation of the site called Gradina, unearthed to a significant extent, and rather well documented by Vaclav Radimský in his reports from 1892 and 1894. Unfortunately, although this monumental and lavishly decorated bathing complex differs in many respects from the majority of ancient baths around the Roman world, and is a superb testament to the social conditions, wealth and overall culture of Domavia, an official mining centre from the time of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, its remains (except for the mosaics) never spurred further academic interest. This paper deals with the unusual arrangement and structure of the complex, its way of functioning, its rich decoration and quite substantial epigraphic material. All these contribute not only to the better understanding of life in ancient Domavia and northern part of the Roman province of Dalmatia, but also to the general knowledge and understanding of Roman baths, their types and distinctive features. For their unique structure and character, we labelled Domavia baths – balnea metallicorum, arguing that they were designed for specific purposes and specific needs of their customers. We are also convinced that they were not an isolated example of this kind of baths at the territory of the Roman province.