The Ancients Roman Aqueducts
39 snips
Aug 14, 2025 Dr. Duncan Keenan-Jones, a Professor at the University of Manchester and an expert in Roman aqueducts, joins to discuss these monumental feats of engineering. He explains how aqueducts transformed urban life by supplying water to baths, homes, and temples, fueling the growth of cities. They delve into construction techniques and the ingenious design behind structures like the Pont du Gard. The conversation also highlights the socio-political impact of water supply management in ancient Rome, showcasing how these innovations shaped the empire's legacy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Surveying Underpinned Success
- Romans used surveying tools like wooden trough levels and balancing poles to peg out and check long aqueduct routes.
- Builders frequently tested and re-surveyed sections, sometimes flooding parts to ensure correct flow before finishing.
Augustus' Regional Aqueduct
- The Aqua Augusta was an imperial project by Augustus supplying several towns and a naval harbour with water over 100 km.
- It became a regional network rather than serving a single town, unique among known Roman aqueducts.
Disaster, Repair, Then Decline
- The Aqua Augusta survived the AD 79 eruption but required repairs; it operated until a later Vesuvius eruption and societal decline ended it.
- Environmental events plus political collapse determined long-term aqueduct viability.
