Here We Go:
As mentioned before, the Romans used special tools to aid them in leveling out land to use for the aqueduct (some of which they borrowed from the Greeks. Because no one borrows like the Romans.)
To really get a feel for how utterly amazing this was, lets see the tools they had available:
First of all, they used an instrument called a groma. It was used to find horizontal lines, and combined with other leveling tool, the architects could deduce much about it. However, it wasn't exact, but it was so close that architectural masterpieces like the Aqua Appai could be done using simple tools such as these. This only strengthens the point that it is a wonder that they even managed it to complete such a feat as this.
Secondly, and most importantly, the Aqua Appia, was built before the Romans had discovered cement. They used clay to hold that monster together. That is correct. They built the whole Aqua Appia without cement. Can you try imagine how confused architects would be if they didn't have that magical, glue-confection that is cement? Would our current time feats even compare to the wondrous ones the Romans did? No, the answer is no. While we rely on the construction that is cement, the Romans were able to level land sufficiently enough, dig under neath of it, and then build a water channel.
To really get a feel for how utterly amazing this was, lets see the tools they had available:
First of all, they used an instrument called a groma. It was used to find horizontal lines, and combined with other leveling tool, the architects could deduce much about it. However, it wasn't exact, but it was so close that architectural masterpieces like the Aqua Appai could be done using simple tools such as these. This only strengthens the point that it is a wonder that they even managed it to complete such a feat as this.
Secondly, and most importantly, the Aqua Appia, was built before the Romans had discovered cement. They used clay to hold that monster together. That is correct. They built the whole Aqua Appia without cement. Can you try imagine how confused architects would be if they didn't have that magical, glue-confection that is cement? Would our current time feats even compare to the wondrous ones the Romans did? No, the answer is no. While we rely on the construction that is cement, the Romans were able to level land sufficiently enough, dig under neath of it, and then build a water channel.
A drawing of what that bad boy looked like. That is skill.
But How Did That Apply to Them?
Well let us look at this in a variety of ways, since having running water is a privilege few understand.
Socially and economically:
The Romans already had a sewage system, but the availability of having running water at their hands, and a surplus of it, allotted them to use it in many ways. And thus the public baths. The Romans were famous for many things, and one of them were their thermae. They bathed more frequently and with a lot less complaining than many people do now, especially children, socialized, and just became the rocking Romans that we know them for.
Also, having water go to your house was a good sign of wealth, leading to fountains being done. The more water you could use (which was later allowed thanks to more aqueducts) meant the more fun you could make your fountains. This lead more intricate designs...
And job opportunities! Did you fountain break down? Was there a leak? IS no water flowing through? These little ills led to 'jobs' being developed, and new innovations to take care of the mishaps. Not only that, but around the baths as well. Bakers, merchants all trying to make a quick buck by selling cold drinks, hot foods, and whatever they could (like plucking hairs!). These, while not directly related, did help to bring more opportunities to sell something to the people, now that they had more than the forums to go to.
Socially and economically:
The Romans already had a sewage system, but the availability of having running water at their hands, and a surplus of it, allotted them to use it in many ways. And thus the public baths. The Romans were famous for many things, and one of them were their thermae. They bathed more frequently and with a lot less complaining than many people do now, especially children, socialized, and just became the rocking Romans that we know them for.
Also, having water go to your house was a good sign of wealth, leading to fountains being done. The more water you could use (which was later allowed thanks to more aqueducts) meant the more fun you could make your fountains. This lead more intricate designs...
And job opportunities! Did you fountain break down? Was there a leak? IS no water flowing through? These little ills led to 'jobs' being developed, and new innovations to take care of the mishaps. Not only that, but around the baths as well. Bakers, merchants all trying to make a quick buck by selling cold drinks, hot foods, and whatever they could (like plucking hairs!). These, while not directly related, did help to bring more opportunities to sell something to the people, now that they had more than the forums to go to.
They are gods at this.
For their future:
Having created their first aqueduct, they Romans moved to improving on what they had. The made new tools to get more accurate mathematics on their buildings, better tools to help them more in having the land be supple and ready for the aqueduct building as the Romans were for more water, and of course, it led to building more aqueducts.
Now we already discussed what it did socially. But let us go into how it helped in the future. The Romans were also fighters, since they were an empire and had to conquer land to be recognized as one. That meant they needed healthy soldiers, and one way to have healthy people is to have good, fresh drinking water that is not contaminated, and ample supplies of it. The aqueducts provided this.
Not only that, but have you even thought about how this amped up farming? Anything could be easier if the right supplies were at ahdn. No longer having to rely on small creeks, they were all of a sudden awarded with the great joy, of what probably seemed to them, an infinite supply of water!
Also. The did this giant thing with the bare essentials in terms of tools. What a morale boost, what a bragging-bringer in conversations. What a way to say, hmm, we did this maybe we could do EVEN BETTER THINGS NEXT TIME RIGHT? The Aqua Appia was also a show that they were not limited. That they could c'complish it all.
Having created their first aqueduct, they Romans moved to improving on what they had. The made new tools to get more accurate mathematics on their buildings, better tools to help them more in having the land be supple and ready for the aqueduct building as the Romans were for more water, and of course, it led to building more aqueducts.
Now we already discussed what it did socially. But let us go into how it helped in the future. The Romans were also fighters, since they were an empire and had to conquer land to be recognized as one. That meant they needed healthy soldiers, and one way to have healthy people is to have good, fresh drinking water that is not contaminated, and ample supplies of it. The aqueducts provided this.
Not only that, but have you even thought about how this amped up farming? Anything could be easier if the right supplies were at ahdn. No longer having to rely on small creeks, they were all of a sudden awarded with the great joy, of what probably seemed to them, an infinite supply of water!
Also. The did this giant thing with the bare essentials in terms of tools. What a morale boost, what a bragging-bringer in conversations. What a way to say, hmm, we did this maybe we could do EVEN BETTER THINGS NEXT TIME RIGHT? The Aqua Appia was also a show that they were not limited. That they could c'complish it all.
Yes, But I'm Selfish, What Did They Do For Me?
Well, most of the western hemisphere, AKA the one you live in, was based upon the Romans and Greeks. As mentioned earlier, the Aqua Appia helped the Romans indirectly in fighting their battles. IF THEY HADN'T HAD THAT STEADY SUPPLY OF WATER THEY COULD HAVE BEEN WIPED OUT.
The civilization that we need to continue our ways, gone.
Then what? Go to the Prussians? I don't think so.
So just remember, no one builds aqueducts quite like the Romans.
The civilization that we need to continue our ways, gone.
Then what? Go to the Prussians? I don't think so.
So just remember, no one builds aqueducts quite like the Romans.
Look at that thing of beauty.