Universität Wien
Achtung! Das Lehrangebot ist noch nicht vollständig und wird bis Semesterbeginn laufend ergänzt.

090075 UE Bathhouses in Late Antiquity: Health, Religion, and Society (2025W)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 9 - Altertumswissenschaften
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
VOR-ORT
Moodle

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 20 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

  • Mittwoch 01.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 08.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 15.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 22.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 29.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 05.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 12.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 19.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 26.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 03.12. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 10.12. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 17.12. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 07.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 14.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 21.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 28.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Klassische Archäologie Franz-Klein-Gasse 1.OG

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

One of the most distinctive and memorable features of ancient Mediterranean society is its bathing culture. A public bathhouse was an indispensable element of a classical city and functioned as a social hub as well as a place to get clean and exercise. In Late Antiquity, many of the key features of ancient society began to change, and this included the institution of public bathing. In the West, the levels of complex water management that defined the Roman period would not be seen again for many centuries. In the East, bathing culture survived but was transformed as part of Islamic societies. In this course, we will examine what bathhouses in Late Antiquity looked like, how they functioned, and how people used them. This will include architectural and technological analysis as well as consideration of visual culture, magic, gender, and sexuality. We will also examine how bathing changed from the Roman period and into the Middle Ages and beyond. By the end of the course, students will be able to answer the following questions:

• What is a bathhouse and how does it work?
• Why was bathing so popular in the ancient world?
• How were bathhouses decorated?
• How and why did bathhouses change in Late Antiquity?
• How did Christianity and Islam impact classical bathing culture?
• How did people use bathing to improve their health?
• Why were the baths such a good place to perform magic?

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

Students must be assessed positively in each of these activities to pass the course. Missing up to 2 classes is permitted.

• Regular, active participation in class discussions (10%)
• In-class oral presentation (40%)
• Written, practical activity 1 (25%)
• Written, practical activity 2 (25%)

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

Prüfungsstoff

Clear, careful, and thoughtful analysis of the selected topic in the form of an oral presentation delivered in class. Two written activities will also be completed, further information to be provided in class.

Literatur

General reading list (a specific reading list will be assigned for each class)

DeForest, D. (2018). Between Ideology and Social Practice: Baths and Bathing in Christian Communities in Late Antiquity. Journal of Ancient History 6.1, pp.136-165.

Dunbabin, K. M. D. (1989). Baiarum grata voluptas: Pleasures and Dangers of the Baths. Papers of the British School at Rome 57, pp.6-46.

Maréchal, S. (2020). Public Baths and Bathing Habits in Late Antiquity: A study of the evidence from Italy, North Africa, and Palestine A.D. 285-700. Leiden: Brill.

Schoolman, E. (2017). Luxury, Vice, and Health: Changing Perspectives on Baths and Bathing in Late Antique Antioch. Studies in Late Antiquity 1.3, pp.225-253.

Zytka, M. (2019). A Cultural History of Bathing in Late Antiquity and Early Byzantium. London: Routledge.

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Anrechenbar Beschreiben und Vergleichen:
im BA: M1;
im EC 596;

Letzte Änderung: Mo 27.07.2026 09:26