An Illustrated Dictionary of Words used in Art and Archaeology / Explaining terms frequently used in works on architecture, arms, bronzes, Christian art, colour, costume, decoration, devices, emblems, heraldry, lace, personal ornaments, pottery, painting, sculpture, &c., with their derivations.

by John W. Mollett

Fig. 56. Balneæ. The Caldarium.

Balneum, Balneæ, Thermæ, Gr. and R. Balneum meant originally a tub or other vessel to bathe in; next, the room in which it was placed; when there were many such rooms the plural balnea was used. Balneæ were the public baths, under the Republic, when they consisted of ordinary baths of hot and cold water. Thermæ were the magnificent and luxurious buildings adapted for the hot air system. They contained (1) the Apodyterium, or dressing-room; (2) the Frigidarium, where the cold bath was taken; (3) the Tepidarium, a bath of warm air; (4) the Caldarium, with a vapour bath at one end, a warm water bath at the other, and a Sudatorium, or sweating bath in the middle. The pavement, called suspensura, was over a furnace, hypocaustum. The bathers were currycombed with strigils, which the Greeks called stlengis or xystra; and they dropped oil over their bodies from narrow-necked vessels called guttus or ampullæ. The Thermæ contained exedræ, or open air chambers, where philosophers lectured, and libraries, and had gardens, and shady walks, and fountains, with statuary attached to them. The ruins of the Thermæ built by Titus, Caracalla, and Domitian remain visible (Fig. [56]).

Balon, Balein, Balayn, O. E. Whalebone.

Balsam of Copaiba. An oleo-resin, used as a varnish, and as a vehicle, for oil painting.

Balteolus. Dimin. of Balteus (q.v.).

Balteus or Balteum (a belt), R. (1) A baldric or wide belt which passed over one shoulder and beneath the other, for the purpose of suspending a sword, buckler, or any other arm. (2) The ornament on the baldric on which was marked the number of the legion to which a soldier belonged. (3) A richly ornamented band of leather placed round a horse’s breast, below the Monile, or throat-band (q.v.). (4) The broad belt in the sphere, which contains the signs of the Zodiac. (5) The bands surrounding the volutes of an Ionic capital. (6) The præcinctiones, or small walls, or parapets, separating the different tiers in a theatre or amphitheatre. (Generally a BELT.)

Baltheus, Med. Lat. for Balteus.

Baluster. A small pillar, swelling in the centre or towards the base.