In the late imperial age the thermal baths became a place of perdition, severely criticised by the Romans themselves.
In fact, in the porticoes that surrounded the structures there were countless shops owned by innkeepers and tavern keepers where it was easy to come by food of all kinds, both sweet and savoury, and a great deal of wine. It was therefore very common to gather in these places between one bath and another, to eat abundantly and toast repeatedly with glasses of wine.
