Ancient Home, Prayer Room Open at Rome’s Baths of Caracalla

Journalists look at the frescoes coming from the sacellum, a small votive chapel, of a two-story home, or "domus," dating from around 134-138 AD that was partially destroyed to make way for the construction of the Caracalla public baths, which opened in 216 AD, are on display at the Caracalla archaeological park in Rome, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (AP)

One the most spectacular examples of ancient Roman baths, the Baths of Caracalla, has become more spectacular. Authorities in Rome on Thursday opened to the public a unique private home that stood on the site before the baths, with a frescoed ceiling and prayer room honoring Roman and Egyptian deities.

The two-story home, or “domus,” dates from around 134-138 AD, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. It was partially destroyed to make way for the construction of the Caracalla public baths, which opened in 216 AD. The site today is a big tourist draw for the multi-leveled brick remains of the Imperial Roman baths, libraries and gyms and the marble mosaics that decorated the floors.