We are still in Carthage. The Antonine Roman Baths were originally built between 145 and 165AD. They were the largest Roman baths on the African continent and one of the three largest baths ever built by the Roman Empire. They were mostly destroyed by the Vandals in 439AD and further by the Arabs in constructing Tunis, using the baths’ stones.

The baths were huge and impressive, even though mostly destroyed. It could accommodate a multitude of visitors. It was originally a multi-story building but what is there today is almost entirely the lower level. The baths included many rooms and chambers, hot rooms, cold rooms, hot baths, a gymnasium, an enormous seaside swimming pool, and views of the Mediterranean Sea.

I think the topper for me was the impressive public toilet amphitheater with mosaic floors, music, and 80 seats, plus a view of the Mediterranean. WOW!

The first photo is an overview photo from higher ground but this is only a small portion of the entire baths.

The second photo shows the thickness of the walls, many rooms, and the great arches between rooms.

The pillar in the third photo looks like Aswan Red Granite from Egypt, so no expense was spared in this construction.

We wandered about for over an hour and the size and scope of these baths was astounding.

Most of the detailed parts have been destroyed but a few are there to give a hint at the beauty and enormity of these baths when they were constructed.

This is one side of what’s left of the original public toilets located here at the baths.