This book is the result of the research conducted for my doctoral thesis between 2012 and 2016, supervised by Prof. Dr. Frank Vermeulen at Ghent University (Belgium) and funded by the Special Research Fund of Ghent University (BOF). Additional funding for research stays and field trips was provided by scholarships from the Academia Belgica in Rome (2011 and 2012), and the Belgian Historical Institute in Rome (2013). Throughout my academic career, several people have contributed to the successful completion of this book. First, I would like to thank my mentor Prof. Dr. Frank Vermeulen, who guided me through my archaeological studies, permitted me to attend the excavations of Ammaia (Portugal), and encouraged me to pursue an academic career. My profound gratitude also goes to Dr. Nathalie de Haan (Radboud University, Nijmegen), who, despite her own busy schedule, helped shape this project, answer questions and discuss Roman baths. Her devotion to baths, archaeology and ancient history has inspired me to find my own path in academia. Several other colleagues at Ghent University have been of tremendous help, such as my colleagues in the ‘Roman Mediterranean Archaeology’ unit in the Department of Archaeology. A particular word of thanks to Dr. Devi Taelman, Dr. Dimitri Van Limbergen, Dr. Jan Trachet, Prof. Dr. Wim De Clercq, Sophie Dralans, Debby Van den Bergh, Tim Clerbaut, Dr. Patrick Monsieur, Dr. Lieven Verdonck and Dr. Francesca Carboni.
Also at Ghent, the meetings with colleagues of the Institute for Classical Studies have been most stimulating. From the History Department, I thank Prof. Dr. Koen Verboven, Prof. Dr. Arjan Zuiderhoek, Dr. Lindsey Vandevoorde and Prof. Dr. Peter Van Nuffelen. At the Department of Classical Languages, my thanks go to Prof. Dr. Wim Verbaal, who kindly helped me with several Latin to English translations. My research also led me to other Belgian universities, where I was always welcomed with enthusiasm and helpfulness. I wish to thank the Department of Archaeology and the library staff at KU-Leuven, the Université Libre de Bruxelles, the Université de Liège and the Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve. A special word goes to Dr. Jonas Danckers (KU-Leuven) and Dr. Delphine Tonglet (ULB). Last, but not least, I thank the many colleagues at the Université de Liège, in particular Dr. Stéphanie Derwael (Department of History of Art and Archaeology) and the study unit of papyrology (CEDOPAL), including Prof. Dr. Marie-Hélène Marganne, Dr. Antonio Ricciardetto and Dr. Nathan Carlig, for introducing me to and helping me with the papyrological databases. Their help with several translations has been much appreciated.
No research about the Mediterranean can be complete without several field trips to the area in question. I dare say that Rome and the Academia Belgica have become my ‘homes-away-from-home’. I thank the two directors of the Academia, Prof. Dr. Walter Geerts and his successor Prof. Dr. Wouter Bracke, as well as the entire staff. A special word of thanks for Charles Bossu and Pamela Anastasio for these years of collaboration and friendship. In Rome, I also had the privilege of working in some of the finest libraries of Roman archaeology that Europe has to offer. I wish to thank the library staff of the British School at Rome, the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, the École française de Rome and the Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut in Rome. I extend my gratitude to the Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica for permitting access to the site and use of the library, the Archivio disegni and the Archivio fotografico. A word of gratitude is also due to the French archaeological mission in Libya, for introducing me to Roman baths and giving me the opportunity to work on the wonderful site at Leptis Magna. I am indebted to Prof. André Laronde (†), Prof. Dr. Vincent Michel, Prof. Dr. Michel Bonifay, Prof. Michel Paulin and Guillaume Dagnas. May we find ourselves together again in a peaceful Libya.
This monograph has benefitted from the useful insights and revisions of my PhD jury. I thank Prof. Dr. Neil Christie, Dr. Nathalie de Haan, Dr. Francesca Carboni, Dr. Luke Lavan and Prof. Dr. Roald Docter for their much appreciated remarks. I am also indebted to two anonymous peer-reviewers, whose stimulating remarks and corrections made this into a better book. Furthermore, I had the pleasure of meeting several scholars, who, in one way or another, contributed to my research. In no specific order, I would like to thank Dr. Paul Johnson, Dr. Béatrice Meyer, Dr. Hubertus Manderscheid, Dr. Michel Blonski, Prof. Dr. Lynne Lancaster, Prof. Dr. Patrizio Pensabene, Dr. Duncan Keenan-Jones, Prof. Dr. Eric Moormann, Dr. Vicky Manolopoulou, Dr. Stefanie Hoss and Dr. Thibaud Fournet. Also sincere thanks to all the authors who permitted the reproduction of illustrations and figures. To conclude, I owe gratitude to Dr. Michael Mulryan and his successor Dr. Peter Crawford for a fantastic editing job. All remaining errors are my own.
Last, but not least, I thank my family, family-in-law and friends. No words can express my gratitude towards my parents and grandparents for their eternal love and support. A special word of thanks also to the family Baeyens-De Beule, who welcomed me into their home as one of their own. I certainly cannot forget my friends, especially those with (faint) moustaches, for dragging me out of the academic world from time to time. Grazie Jan, Arne, Thomas and Dimi! To the countless friends I met in the Academia Belgica in Rome: know that these moments spent in the Eternal City are priceless and unforgettable. To conclude, I thank my life-partner Nathalie, who had to endure my bathing frenzy, but nevertheless always remained my foremost supporter.
Sadi Maréchal
Ghent, January 2020