The mineral springs at modern Lamezia Terme, in the Catanzaro province, have a history that is more speculated than solid. Some scholars tentatively identify this site with the “Aquae angae” marked on the Peutinger Map, an ancient Roman road map. The waters themselves were valued in antiquity for their therapeutic properties, a common feature across the Roman world, where thermal complexes served as both health retreats and social hubs. However, the archaeological evidence for exploitation here is thin; the current spa complex is entirely modern. The name, Terme di Caronte, evokes Charon, the ferryman of the underworld, perhaps hinting at the springs’ perceived otherworldly qualities or their location near a volcanic or sulphurous source. It is a place where ancient reputation outweighs material remains, leaving the visitor to imagine the Roman bathers who may once have sought these waters.
Description via source. Coordinates and heritage data from the Atika atlas.
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