The apse in which a labrum was placed. It enabled several bathers to stand around the labrum at the same time. The apse was usually covered by a semi-dome which could be pierced by a round oculus (round window opening) to provide additional lighting.

Schola labri in the caldarium of the men’s section of the Forum Baths at Pompeii (L) and in the House of the Cryptoporticus at Vulci, Italy (R) (photos Konogan Beaufay (L) and Allison Smith (R)).