A thermae was a large public bathhouse in Ancient Rome. It was a place where people of all social classes could come to relax and socialize. The thermae typically had a variety of facilities, including hot and cold baths, saunas, exercise areas, and snack bars. The largest thermae could accommodate thousands of bathers at a time, and they were often used as social gathering places, where people could meet friends, discuss politics, and conduct business. The thermae were an important part of Ancient Roman culture, and they remain an important symbol of the Roman Empire's achievements in architecture and engineering.