BSY_FB_17-47

47

The exterior and interior of the walls are
similarly faced but the latter show holes for
the clamps which held in place a revetment
of rich marble, pieces of which 2cm thick
are to be found in the debris. The interior
surface also shows deep perpendicular
grooves for water conduits and on one of the
larger chambers are two niches.

The vaulted ceilings were plastered and
ornamented with plaster mouldings in
geometrical patterns and then painted -
a few remnants of painted decoration are
still to be seen in two of the compartments.

The floors were no doubtless paved with
tessellated marble or mosaics for the
Arab Emporer seems to have spared
nothing to make his baths worthy rivals
of the great baths of Imperial Rome.

The construction indeed here is far superior
to that of the great buildings of Caracalla.
This the extent is naturally on a smaller scale.