Sources of Ancient Healing Thermalism

Primiscrinio Athalaricus Rex

1Cum diuturnis laboribus excubares, ita te inbecillitate corporis asseris graviter sauciatum, ut nec ad famam militiae percipiendam possis occurrere, ad quam constat voto te praecipiti festinasse, metuens ne per absentiam tui ab ipsis paene faucibus dulcissimus tibi fructus videatur auferri, postulans etiam ut, algentis corporis necessitate constrictus, Baiani lavacriBaño, bañera, pileta para el baño. Sala para bañarse o limpiarse, en ocasiones, relacionado con un baño pequeño o BALNEUM, dentro de una domus, situado casi siempre al lado de... siccitate laxeris. Dignum plane quod inter praemia summa praestemus, 2ut, sicut conferimus victis spem, ita tribuamus supplicantibus et salutem. quapropter et a vinculo te emolumenticii terroris absolvimus et praedicti lavacriBaño, bañera, pileta para el baño. Sala para bañarse o limpiarse, en ocasiones, relacionado con un baño pequeño o BALNEUM, dentro de una domus, situado casi siempre al lado de... munere sublevamus, ut primum mentis gaudio recreatus facilius membrorum recipias sospitatem. naturalis siquidem cura est aegris dare laetitiam: nam fac invalidum gaudere, sanatus est. 3Perge igitur ad amoenos recessus: perge ad solem, ut ita dixerim, clariorem: ubi salubritate aeris temperata terris blandior est natura. illic miraculis alta cogitatione perpensis cum arcanis mundi mens humana colloquitur nec admirari desinit quae ibi agi posse cognoscit: primum Nerei fluenta marinis deliciis esse completa, tot portus naturae prudentia terrenis sinibus intermissos, tot insulas nobiles amplexu pelagi dotatas: deinde inmissum Averno stagneum mare, ubi ad voluptatem hominum vita regitur ostreorum, industriaque mortalium fieri, ut res alibi fortuita ibi semper appareat copiosa. 4Quantis ibi molibus marini termini decenter invasi sunt! quantis spatiis in visceribus aequoris terra promota est! dextra laevaque greges piscium ludunt. claudantur alibi industriosis parietibus copiosae deliciae: captivi teneantur aquatiles greges: hic ubique sub libertate vivaria sunt. adde quod tam amoena est suscepta piscatio, ut ante epulosum convivium intuentium pascat aspectum. magnum est enim gaudium desiderata cepisse: sed in huiusmodi rebus gratior est plerumque amoenitas oculi quam utilitas captionis. 5Sed ne longius evagemur, inter Neptunias gazas habitare creditur, cui otia Baiana praestantur. his itaque rebus deliciosa exercitatione saginati ad pulcherrima lavacraBaño, bañera, pileta para el baño. Sala para bañarse o limpiarse, en ocasiones, relacionado con un baño pequeño o BALNEUM, dentro de una domus, situado casi siempre al lado de... contenditis, quae sunt et miraculis plena et salutis qualitate pretiosa. nam etsi hominum cura fabricata noscuntur, naturalibus certe ministeriis exhibentur. fornaces ibi non robora convecta succendunt: cessante flamma perpetuus calor operatur: illic globi fumiferi nesciuntur: auraAire caliente. est purissima, quae ministrat vaporesVapor de agua., sudores provocat dulciter anhelos: et tantum a communibus balneisLugar para bañarse. Edificio acondicionado para el uso del agua en forma de baño. OLD (Oxford Latin Dictionary). A bathing establishment, baths. The act of bathing, a bath. Término que... salubrior invenitur, quantum ab humana industria celsior est natura. videas illic undas perpetuis fumare gurgitibus, quae ita videntur lavantum explere desideria, ut humano credas studio temperatas. 6Cedat corallici pelagi laudata semper opinio: adsurgat Indici maris de albarum candore fama locupletior. quid mihi cum pretiis, si animus non fruatur optatis? baianis litoribus nil potest esse praestantius, ubi contingit et dulcissimis deliciis vesci et impretiabili munere sanitatis expleri. fruere igitur bonis nihilominus expetitis: nostris beneficiis ad tua emolumenta pervenies: Baianis remediis consequere rem salutis.

King Athalaric to the Primiscrinius
1Although you keep vigil with daily labors, you claim you have been grievously wounded by an infirmity of the body, so that you are unable to cope with the traditional demands of service, for which it is fitting that you fasten upon your vow, fearing not that by your absence from these very duties a sweet reward should be withdrawn from you; moreover, you demand that, because you are constrained by the hardship of neglected health, you should be released to the restorative baths of Baiae. 2It is clearly merited that we offer the highest among rewards, so that, just as we respond to the desires of the healthy, thus we should also bestow health upon supplicants. Therefore, we both free you from the constraints of fearful labors and we assist you with the gift of the aforementioned baths, so that, first restored with a freedom of the mind, you may more easily recuperate the health of your limbs. Indeed, to grant happiness is a natural cure for an ill man; for to cause the unhealthy to rejoice is healthy. 3Therefore, retreat to pleasant places; take yourself, just as I have said, to brighter sun, where the nature of the land is more favorable, tempered by the wholesomeness of the air. There, in deep reflection upon carefully pondered miracles, the human mind converses with the secrets of the world, for what is known to occur there cannot fail admiration: first, the tide of the sea is completely fitted with marine delights, the prudence of nature has interspersed so many ports among recesses of the shore, endowed so many fair islands to the embrace of the sea. There is the pool set in the Avernian Sea, where oysters have been supplied for the pleasure and life of men, and human industry has caused blessings otherwise accidental to appear abundantly everywhere. 4The frontier of the sea is becomingly invaded by so many piers! The land projects so many openings into the interior of the sea! Schools of fish play and are easily at hand. Elsewhere, abundant delicacies are enclosed within carefully walled pools; aquatic herds are held captive. Everywhere here, thriving creatures are held under restrained liberty. Additionally, it is so pleasant to undertake fishing that the appearance satisfies the appetite of the one observing before the banquet. For it is a great joy to have seized your desire, but in every way the delight to the eye is even more pleasing than the advantage of the capture. 5But let us not wander too far among the marine treasures known to dwell there. Baiae is renowned for its leisure. And so, fattened upon such treasures from delightful exertion, you would hasten to the most beautiful baths, which are both miraculous and precious for the quality of their health. For although the concocted remedies of men are known, they are certainly produced from natural sources. Gathered wood does not heat the furnaces there; perpetual heat operates without continuous flames. Plumes of smoke are unknown here; the airs that assist the steam are the most pure, a sweetly exhaled sweat. What is found more quickly by human industry is provided more wholesomely by nature in connected pools. You would see the waters there to steam with continuous roiling, which easily satisfies the needs of the bather, to the extent that you would believe it regulated by the person’s desire. 6Let a vaunted reputation be granted to coral-bearing seas, the far-flung fame of the Indian Ocean may rise upon the splendor of pearls. What value is it to me, if the spirit may not enjoy what you desire? Nothing is able to be superior to the shore of Baiae, where it is possible to be fed with finest delicacies and to be satisfied with the gift of priceless health. Therefore, enjoy nothing less than the blessings you have sought. May you arrive at your due recompense through our benefaction; pursue the business of your health in the remedies of Baiae.