Roman emperor’s bath complex unearthed in Serbia
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Archaeologists in Serbia discovered a luxurious Roman bath complex at the Vrelo-Šarkamen archaeological site, revealing a personal bathing suite built for Emperor Maximinus Daza.
The complex included three pools and a sauna, offering insight into the life of the emperor who briefly ruled during the early 4th century. Researchers from Serbia’s Institute of Archeology were surprised by the circular design of the balneum, the Latin name for the bath complex, as most Roman baths featured simpler, lateral layouts.
The bathhouse contained a furnace for heating the floors and space for a large copper boiler to warm water for the pools, though the boiler itself is missing. Daza, born in present-day Serbia, was a junior emperor under Galerius as part of a four-ruler system meant to govern the Roman Empire. His appointment sparked a civil war that led to his death and the collapse of the tetrarchy.
Archaeologists continue to excavate the site, hoping to find more artifacts related to the complex and the emperor's life. They also noted a curious historical detail: Maximinus Daza was the last world leader to be titled Pharaoh of Egypt, a title he held as a pagan emperor.
