Roman Aqueducts

The Roman Aqueduct was a classic marvel of engineering and sustainability. A channel used for transportation of fresh water to highly populated areas, it was seen as the Michael Jordan of the Architectural Antiquity. Where Jordan had Magic and Bird pave the way, Rome had Egyptian and Indian civilizations which laid the groundwork of Aqueducts. But like Jordan, Rome was a trailblazer of engineering innovation. "Though earlier civilizations in Egypt and India also built aqueducts, the Romans improved on the structure and built an extensive and complex network across their territories." (https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/roman-aqueducts/).

One of the most distinct features of an Aqueduct was its location and geography. For Rome, their diachronic waterwork extended from the Apennines mountain to the coast. “Taking advantage of the slope, it develops its course halfway along the hilly terrain, both on the surface and underground for several long stretches.”(https://www.watermuseums.net/campaigns/valuing-ancient-water-cultures/roman-aqueducts/). This is why the cross-sections of the aqueduct canal are not preordained and are dependent on the topography it is located.??

The aqueduct was authorized by the Emperor Augustus in the Augustan age (27 BC - 14 AD) but was only completed during the reign of Emperor Claudius (14 - 37 AD). Its realization was entrusted to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and until the early 20th century, the discovery of some pipes inscribed with the name of Claudius led many scholars to believe that the aqueduct was built by Emperor Claudius. If you’re wondering why a simple waterwork was so important that the Emperor would commission it, water is essential to life and the Romans knew this. Roman architect Vitruvius stated that Water supplied an “infinite number of practical needs” and that “all things depend upon the power of water”. A city without adequate access to water is an encased fire. “The abundant supply of water provided by aqueducts allowed the city of Rome itself to grow and prosper” (Wilson, A. 2011. The economy of ordure. In Roman Toilets,their Archaeology and Cultural History, ed. Gemma C.M.Jansen, Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow, and Eric M. Moormann,147–156. Leuven, Belgium: Peeters.)? But drinking water was probably the bottom of the totem pole in terms of benefits of aqueducts as civilizations had already implemented wells. However, what the aqueducts did emphasize was the importance of hygiene. “In 33 BC, there were 170 baths in Rome. At the height of the empire, the number approached 1000” (Carcopino, J. 1940. Daily Life in Ancient Rome, translated by E. O. Lorimer. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press.)??

This would not just stop at bathing but total sanitation as well. The large influx of water entering Rome would imply the existence of a drain system and sewer system to channel wastewater and prevent overflow. Just like Michael Jordan didn’t invent the fadeaway, Rome didn’t invent sewers as evidence shows civilizations in Crete and the Indus Valley had this technology as early as 3000 BC. But what Jordan did was perfect the fadeaway and Rome was no different. “Public toilets were commonly located near markets or baths and almost always connected to the city water system and sewers.” (https://ngwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/gwat.12958).?

Jordan will always be seen as an innovator in the game of basketball. His scoring prowess and size became the prototypical shooting guard by the 90s and 2000s because everyone wanted to be ‘Like Mike’. Rome has always been the standard for western civilizations throughout history as many see the Empire/ Republic as the apex of greatness. Just look at how many people have taken the rank of Caesar or have ordained an eagle as their crest. From the British Isles to the California Coast, Rome’s legacy of engineering and sustainability shall always be remembered.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Any comments and suggestions for what to do next will be much appreciated. Thank you.