Aquae

Aquae is the Latin plural noun for waters, aqua. In Roman geography, aquae is often used as a toponymic element to denote towns associated with springs, baths, or mineral waters. When paired with a proper name or epithet, it identifies the site and its water feature.

Among the best-known examples are Aquae Sulis, the Roman name for Bath in England, meaning "the waters of Sulis" after the local deity Sulis; Aquae Statiellae, the Latin name for Acqui Terme in Piedmont, Italy; and Aquae Mattiacorum, referring to the spa town that corresponds to modern Wiesbaden, Germany. These names reflect the central role of thermal and mineral waters in Roman leisure, health practices, and urban development.

The usage of aquae in toponyms illustrates how Roman place names were often built around natural features. In many cases, the Latin form was later adapted into modern toponyms, preserving the link to springs and baths. Today, former Aquae sites remain identified by their spa associations in regional histories, archaeology, and tourism, with contemporary names deriving from the Latin traditions.