A Journey through Ancient Rome

How the Romans brought water to the top of the world

In 312 BC, Rome built its first aqueduct, the Aqua Appia, bringing pure water into the city. It was not a Roman invention, but the Romans made it an art: exploiting gravity with an almost imperceptible gradient, they created a network of over 500 kilometres of conduits, mostly underground to protect the water. To cross valleys, they built monumental arches and, at the deepest points, used siphons, pressurised pipes that exploited the principle of communicating vessels. Opus caementicium, Roman concrete made with pozzolana, made all this possible. Eleven aqueducts served Rome, feeding baths, fountains and houses. The aqueducts were not just engineering: they were the symbol of Rome's greatness.

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