M. Medri, La fama di Baia e le risorse naturali tipicamente baiane nelle fonti letterarie

In Roman times, Baia was the most famous spa resort. But in spite of the abundance of ancient written sources and the considerable amount of archaeological remains, the main feature about nature of the site is still unclear. In this study, analysis of the written sources in a chronological order afford the opportunity to ascertain how the fame of Baiae grew and changed over time. Of the written sources, particular attention is paid to those that offer information about the two natural resources of Baiae: the hot air and vapour emerging from underground, and the aquae, or thermal mineral water. Exploitation of the former, less known, is clearly evidenced by a small bath, the so-called Piccole Terme, located in the South side of the Archaeological Park. In this building the natural heating system, typical of the Baia style, is still visible, as described by Vitruvius, Celsus, Seneca, Pliny the Older, and Dio Cassius.