The Romans, who arrived in Bath in the second half of the first
century AD, developed Bath’s hot springs into a large bathing and
temple complex. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the
5th century AD, the baths fell into disrepair.
Bathing continued, but the Roman ruins were hidden under new
buildings. Traces were found as the city was developed in the
18th century, but the complex wasn’t substantially
excavated until 1880.
Since its discovery, the baths have been a popular subject for
artists. Above is an example by Edward Poynter, PRA, painted soon
after the baths were rediscovered.
Edward Poynter, Part of the Roman Circular
Bath 1880s