The finding in 1727 of the gilded bronze head of the Roman goddess Minerva led to the discovery of the Roman temple and of the baths. Since then archaeologists have discovered more and more about the Roman city of Aquae Sulis. In this new edition of a work first published almost 30 years ago, Professor Barry Cunliffe brings the story right up to date. He deals in detail with the temple and its precinct and with the "curse tablets" which have been deciphered to reveal the thoughts of Roman visitors. He then explains just how the bathing establishment was organized and explores the relationship between the spa and the town. We learn what life was like for the local inhabitants as well as for the visitors, and he charts the process of decline and decay during the 300 years after the Roman period.