Экзаменационный (типовой) материал ЕГЭ / Английский / 10 задание (24) / 50

A. Bath, the historic city in Somerset, England, takes its name from the baths built around 60-70 AD by the Romans during their occupation of Britain. For centuries, the Romans used them as a communal space for bathing and socializing. After the Romans left in the 5th century, the beautiful architectural complex fell into disrepair. The baths were restored in the 18th century when they became fashionable as a spa due to the therapeutic value of their waters. Today these ancient baths are no longer in use and serve as a tourist attraction.

B. The Ancient Romans were pioneers in establishing grand bathing complexes known as 'thermae' or public baths. The tradition of thermas went beyond mere hygiene and washing; these baths were vital cultural institutions serving as centers for socializing, intellectual discussions, and recreational activities. Romans considered bathing a communal affair, providing citizens from diverse backgrounds with a platform for free communication, regardless of their financial or societal status.

C. Throughout European history, hygiene practices varied reflecting the cultural, social and economic conditions. In the early medieval period, access to clean water was limited and bathing was infrequent. During the Renaissance people didn't wash often either, and the use of perfumes became popular to mask body smells, especially among rich people. In Victorian England, many people thought that "overbathing" could lead to health issues and limited washing to "sponge baths" - using a basin of water, soap and a sponge to cleanse the body.

D. The Russian tradition of public baths, known as "banya", has deep cultural roots and dates back centuries, with influences from both Slavic and Nordic cultures. Traditional banyas are often housed in log cabins, with the stove or "pechka" in the centre, heated with firewood and stones. Water is poured onto the stones to produce steam. With the growing urban development, public baths became important parts of Russian towns and cities and were widely used for hygiene purposes well into to the late 20th century.

E. Foreigners visiting Russia in the 18th-19th centuries were always intrigued by the Russian tradition of public baths. An Englishman who traveled to Moscow in 1864, described how his Moscow friend "returned from his weekly vapour-bath. His good-natured face was beaded with perspiration; his flesh looked as red as if it had been parboiled, and a steaming glow arose from his broad massy forehead. Flogging oneself with birch-branches in a room raised to an equatorial temperature, is, perhaps, calculated to produce these symptoms."

F. John Parkinson, an Oxford Don, while on his tour of Russia in 1792-1794 suffered from rheumatism and went to the Russian banya seeking healing. He later wrote that he "found the sensation exceedingly agreeable. I felt like a River God: or like the statue of Moses with water flowing down a long beard and long locks". The only thing he regretted was that he didn't get whipped with birch twigs, for "the sensation from it I am told is very acute and singular".

G. Sandunov's Bathhouse, located in Moscow, is one of the city's oldest and most renowned public bathhouses. Established in 1808 by Sila Sandunov, a peasant who became a successful entrepreneur, the bathhouse has played a significant role in the history and culture of Moscow. Situated within walking distance of the Kremlin, Sandunov's Bathhouse is an architectural gem that reflects the cultural and historical richness of its surroundings. The building itself is a testament to the traditional Russian banya design, with classic steam rooms.