Bath

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The healing properties of the hot springs are believed to have been discovered by Prince Bladud around 900 bc.
Prince Bladud was banished from court because of his leprosy, and he then became a swineherd. He found that bathing his charges in the hot springs cured their skin problems, and so he resolved to try using the healing water to cure his own skin. In this way he cured his leprosy.

The Roman baths were built in about 76 ad close to the temple of Sulis Minerva.

The present spa still retains original sculptures of various deities as well as a substantial collection of curses inscribed on lead sheets. Thus Bath would appear to have been an important "cursing well".

The following curse was found in 1880 below the "King's Bath":

"May he who carried off Vilbia from me become as liquid as water
May she who divinely devoured her become dumb, whether Velvinna, Exsupereus, Severinus, Augustalis, Comitianus, Catusminianus, Germanilla or Jovina"