Around AD 310, an emperor built a lavish bath with three pools and a sauna

The bath was incorporated directly into the emperor’s palace, with its heating system, bathing areas and sophisticated architecture working together within a relatively compact space. Nearly 1,700 years ago, an emperor could retreat from the demands of the Roman court without leaving his palace. Beneath a monumental tower in what is now eastern Serbia, he had a private bathing suite built with heated floors, multiple pools and a sauna, a remarkably sophisticated space designed for comfort, privacy and relaxation. Archaeologists have now uncovered the remains of that unusual bath complex, offering a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of Roman Emperor Maximinus Daza and the engineering behind his imperial residence.A palace built for an emperorThe discovery was made at Vrelo-Šarkamen, a fortified residential complex constructed in the early fourth century. The site is associated with Maximinus Daza, who ruled as Roman emperor from 310 to 313. Excavations at the site have continued intermittently for decades, but recent work by researchers from Serbia’s Institute of Archaeology has revealed that the palace was considerably more elaborate than previously understood.Maximinus Daza, wh...