The Greek bath was a revivifying experience not limited to the bath tub. A hot bath was prepared at home with boiling water from a copper cauldron steaming on an open fire and cool well water, usually followed by anointing with olive oil, a clean tunic and a relaxing meal. Oil was applied to counteract the effects of the searing sun, and prevent stiffness after drying off. Bathing in the ocean was a popular activity thought to calm the nerves. Over time, bathing took on an almost ritual significance, so much so that Greek literature quite often warns against it becoming a public custom, even though it was a widely practiced private one.
The Greek bath was a revivifying experience not limited to the bath tub. A hot bath was prepared at home with boiling water from a copper cauldron steaming on an open fire and cool well water, usually followed by anointing with olive oil, a clean tunic and a relaxing meal. Oil was applied to counteract the effects of the searing sun, and prevent stiffness after drying off. Bathing in the ocean was a popular activity thought to calm the nerves. Over time, bathing took on an almost ritual significance, so much so that Greek literature quite often warns against it becoming a public custom, even though it was a widely practiced private one.
