**VIDEO AVAILABLE: CONTACT INFO@COVERMG.COM TO RECEIVE** Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered a luxurious private spa and bath complex that would’ve belonged to the Roman equivalent of today’s billionaire elite. It is one of the private bath complexes ever found in Pompeii, and is located within a grand Roman house in Insula 10 of Regio IX. The baths, directly annexed to a banquet hall, offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyles of Pompeii's elite prior to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The complex includes a calidarium, tepidarium, frigidarium (hot, warm, and cold rooms), and an apodyterium (changing room), capable of accommodating up to 30 people. A striking feature is the cold room, centred around a 10x10 metre peristyle courtyard with a large pool. This discovery highlights the significance of baths in Roman culture. The baths were closely connected to the triclinium (banquet hall), reflecting practices described in Roman literature. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, remarked: “Everything was functional to the staging of a ‘spectacle,’ at the centre of which was the owner himself.” The paintings are in the Third Style and depict scenes from the Trojan War, and athletes to create a Greek-feel to the opulent complex. The baths were closely connected to the triclinium (banquet hall), reflecting practices described in Roman literature. Zuchtriegel noted: “Just as the black hall was meant to transport guests to a Greek palace, so the peristyle with the large pool in the centre and the adjacent thermal complex had the function of creating a Greek gymnasium setting, further accentuated by the athletic scenes added later.” The owner of the house, believed to have been a prominent local figure, would have used these spaces to host lavish banquets, enhancing their social status and political influence. These gatherings served not only as private events but also as public displays of wealth and power. Temporary support structures ensuring the preservation of the colonnade will remain in place until future restoration projects begin. The excavation continues to uncover more of the domus, which features rich decorations and unique architectural elements that offer further insights into Pompeian society. Where: Pompeii, Italy When: 17 Jan 2025 Credit: Parco archeologico di Pompeii/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**