Baptisterium

For the building housing a baptismal font, see Baptistery.

The baptisterium in the frigidarium of the thermae at Pompeii

In classical antiquity, a baptisterium (Ancient Greek: βαπτιστήριον) was a large basin installed in private or public baths into which bathers could plunge, or even swim about.[1] It is more commonly called natatorium or piscina.

  1. ^ Epist. ii. 17, 11 (cited by Peck)