Massage and Herbs

Massage and Herbs

The Old Trainer had just opened his mouth when he suddenly closed it again.

Not long afterward, Zhang Heng also heard voices and faint footsteps coming from the corridor. A large group of gladiators entered from outside in twos and threes, apparently having just finished training somewhere. They chatted and laughed as they walked, so the Old Trainer changed his words. "I'll come find you. We'll talk then."

With that, he climbed down from the alcove and left the steam room.

After steaming for a while longer, Zhang Heng returned to the hot bath.

"For someone steaming for the first time, I have to admit you lasted quite a while," Valo said when Zhang Heng emerged. The former antique dealer seemed to have recovered much of his energy after soaking in the pool. He rose from the bath. "Now it's my turn."

"I'll wait for you here," Zhang Heng said.

After Valo came out of the steam room, the two went to the cold bath next door. Ancient Romans had rather strange bathing habits. They seemed to enjoy alternating between hot and cold, but this method could very well cause heart problems. Moreover, staying in cold, damp conditions for too long could also lead to sailor's syndrome and diminished hearing.

In comparison, Roman women were clearly much better off. They almost never soaked in cold baths.

Zhang Heng only tried it once before deciding he would not bathe that way again. He also advised Valo not to do so in the future. Valo now followed Zhang Heng's every word, and upon hearing this, he nodded immediately without asking why.

The two concluded their trip to the baths with massages.

According to Valo, admission to the public baths outside was cheap, but services such as storing clothes, snacks,