Editing Caracalla (section)

=== Baths ===
{{Main|Baths of Caracalla}}
[[File:Baths of Caracalla.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Baths of Caracalla]]]]
Construction on the [[Baths of Caracalla]] in Rome began in 211 at the start of Caracalla's rule. The ''[[thermae]]'' are named for Caracalla, though it is most probable that his father was responsible for their planning. In 216, a partial inauguration of the baths took place, but the outer perimeter of the baths was not completed until the reign of [[Severus Alexander]].{{sfn|Castex|2008|p=4}}

These large baths were typical of the Roman practice of building complexes for social and state activities in large densely populated cities.{{sfn|Castex|2008|p=4}} The baths covered around 50 acres (or 202,000 square metres) of land and could accommodate around 1,600 bathers at any one time.{{sfn|Castex|2008|p=4}} They were the second largest public baths built in ancient Rome and were complete with [[Natatio|swimming pools]], [[Palaestra|exercise yards]], a [[Stadion (running race)|stadium]], steam rooms, libraries, meeting rooms, fountains, and other amenities, all of which were enclosed within formal gardens.{{sfn|Castex|2008|p=4}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Oetelaar|first=Taylor|date=2014|title=Reconstructing the Baths of Caracalla|journal=Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage|volume=1|issue=2|pages=45–54|doi=10.1016/j.daach.2013.12.002}}</ref> The interior spaces were decorated with colourful marble floors, columns, mosaics, and colossal statuary.{{sfn|Castex|2008|pp=5–6}}