A steam bath is a steam-filled room or steam-filled cabinet designed for the purpose of relaxation and holistic treatment. Steam baths have been formally recognized since ancient Greek and Roman times, yet variations can be found throughout the Middle East, Asia, Mesoamerica, and Northern Africa. The Greeks developed early vapor baths called laconica in Sparta, while the Roman variation was referred to as thermae, the most famous of which is located in Bath, England, and was founded in the first century AD.
Regardless of location, steam baths serve as gathering places, centers for relaxation, and places for ritualistic practice. Steam baths have historically been operated through various forms of technology, from Roman hypocaust systems to pipes designed to transport geothermal water.
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