Aquae Cutiliae is an ancient Roman site situated on mineral springs known today as Terme di Cotilia or Terme di Vespasiano, near the modern Cittaducale, 9 miles east of Rieti in the Sabina region. [1] [2]
It took its name from the nearby village ( vicus ) of Cutiliae or Cutilium whose exact location is unknown. [3]
Emperors Vespasian and his son Titus both died there.
Cutiliae is mentioned by Dionysius of Halicarnassus as an important centre of ancient peoples who inhabited Sabina before the arrival of the Sabines. [4]
The nearby Lake of Cutilia was supposed by classical writers such as Pliny, Seneca and Varro to be the centre of Italy, and was renowned for its floating islands, [2] which, as in other cases, were formed from the partial petrification of plants by the mineral substances contained in the water. The lake itself was sacred to the Sabine goddess Vacuna and for this reason made inaccessible with fences.
The baths were built at the settlement to benefit from the perceived healing waters.
According to Suetonius, Roman Emperor Vespasian had a villa at Cutiliae: "he left for Cutiliae and the fields of Reate, where he spent the summer every year", [5] while of his son, emperor Titus, he said that: "he retired to the same villa as his father" [6] and both died there. [7] Vespasian suffered increasingly severe intestinal problems and died in 79 AD at Aquae Cutiliae [8] perhaps due to excessive bathing in the cold waters. [9]
Its name appears on the Peutinger Table as Aqve cvtillie [10] on the Via Salaria.
The first excavations of the baths were done after the discovery of remains in 1890. The excavations carried out in the years 1969-1984 brought to light more of the "Terme di Cotilia", as known in the archaeological literature (or the baths of Vespasian). [11]
Recent archaeological excavations (2007-2012) revealed a section of the ancient road at the first terrace level of the baths, just outside the enclosure walls.
The well-preserved monumental buildings of the so-called Baths of Vespasian lie about 2 km west of lake Cutilia and extend for 400 m and on four terraces. The site was probably originally a sanctuary to the goddess Vacuna similar to many others built in Latium in the late Republican age. On the 2nd terrace, a large natatio (swimming pool) was excavated from the solid rock, measuring 60 by 24 m, and was accessed by swimmers by steps on the longer sides of the basin. [12] It was extended in several periods and used up to the 4th c. AD, and was probably fed by an underground spring. There is also a series of niches and rooms around an apse on the north side that formed a monumental nymphaeum. The west side lies beneath a later church and mill and dates to the Flavian era, showing rooms that heated the spring water for the baths. The baths were used until the 4th-5th century.
On the 3rd terrace 5 pillars are visible, probably belonging to the portico near the corridor. It is possible that this part collapsed around the III/IV century AD, perhaps due to an earthquake or to the Lombard conquest, and was never rebuilt. [13]
A wide section of the ancient road a few hundred metres long has been revealed on the first terrace level of the baths, just outside the enclosure walls.The architectural majesty of the baths, unique for rural Sabina of the late republican and early imperial period, can be explained by their prominent position near the major road.
On the east side of Lake Cutilia are the monumental remains of the so-called "Baths of Titus", more likely to be a large villa and dating from the 1st c. BC to 1st c. AD. [14] The massive retaining wall of 60 m length and 11 m high lies in front of several rectangular rooms.
Aquae Cutiliae has sulphurous and mineral springs, which was frequently enjoyed by the Flavian emperors and was dedicated to the goddess Vacuna. [15] These sources of intensely cold water were especially renowned for their healing properties, which Pliny and Celsus praised for their effectiveness in curing stomach disorders. [16]
Vespasian was Roman emperor from 69 to 79. The last emperor to reign in the Year of the Four Emperors, he founded the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for 27 years. His fiscal reforms and consolidation of the empire brought political stability and a vast building program.
The 60s decade ran from January 1, AD 60, to December 31, AD 69.
Titus Caesar Vespasianus was Roman emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, becoming the first Roman emperor to succeed his biological father.
The Flavian dynasty, lasting from AD 69 to 96, was the second dynastic line of emperors to rule the Roman Empire following the Julio-Claudians, encompassing the reigns of Vespasian and his two sons, Titus and Domitian. The Flavians rose to power during the civil war of AD 69, known as the Year of the Four Emperors; after Galba and Otho died in quick succession, Vitellius became emperor in mid 69. His claim to the throne was quickly challenged by legions stationed in the eastern provinces, who declared their commander Vespasian emperor in his place. The Second Battle of Bedriacum tilted the balance decisively in favor of the Flavian forces, who entered Rome on 20 December, and the following day, the Roman Senate officially declared Vespasian emperor, thus commencing the Flavian dynasty. Although the dynasty proved to be short-lived, several significant historic, economic and military events took place during their reign.
The Baths of Titus or Thermae Titi were public baths (Thermae) built in 81 AD at Rome, by Roman emperor Titus. The baths sat at the base of the Esquiline Hill, an area of parkland and luxury estates which had been taken over by Nero for his Golden House or Domus Aurea. Titus' baths were built in haste, possibly by converting an existing or partly built bathing complex belonging to the reviled Domus Aurea. They were not particularly extensive, and the much larger Baths of Trajan were built immediately adjacent to them at the start of the next century.
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Lacus Cutiliensis is the ancient Roman name of the modern Lago di Paterno in the municipality of Castel Sant'Angelo, near the ancient Reate, now Rieti. In antiquity it was sacred to the Sabines. Varro, who came from Reate, called it the "navel of Italy".
Terme Taurine, also known as the Taurine Baths, is a large elaborate ancient Roman baths complex located about 4 km east of the city of Civitavecchia.
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The Imperial Villa of Vicarello was an ancient Roman villa-estate that belonged to the emperors starting from Domitian (r.81-96). It is situated near the north shore of Lake Bracciano and near the village of Vicarello, near the modern town of Trevignano Romano. The current private Vicarello estate is a park of about 2000 hectares in which the Roman remains of the villa and associated monumental baths were discovered in the 19th century, some of which are still preserved. The two main ancient centres are:
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