While the grandiose thermae of Caracalla and Trajan may initially come to mind when imagining baths from antiquity, there are also examples of smaller baths that are particularly intriguing: early predecessors of the fully developed Roman complex, and more informal facilities that deviated from the strict symmetry of their larger counterparts.

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Some early Greek baths adapted their design to the natural forms of caves. Carved into soft rock, the chambers enclosed and enveloped hot springs, and were inspired by ancient Greek establishments built over grottoes or springs believed to be sacred sites.

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