The longest Roman aqueduct was the Aqua Marcia, which stretched for approximately 91 miles (146 kilometers) from sources in the Anio valley to Rome. The aqueduct was constructed in the late 2nd century BC by Marcus Licinius Crassus, a Roman general and politician, and was named after him. It was one of the oldest and most important aqueducts in Rome, providing the city with a reliable source of fresh water for drinking, bathing, and sanitation.
The Aqua Marcia was an impressive feat of engineering for its time, utilizing a combination of gravity and arches to convey water from its sources to the city. The aqueduct began at the Anio valley, where it collected water from several springs and streams. From there, it followed a winding route through the hills and valleys, crossing rivers and valleys through a series of bridges and arches.
One of the most impressive features of the Aqua Marcia was its use of inverted siphons, which allowed it to cross deep valleys and gorges without the need for additional support. The aqueduct also made use of underground tunnels and covered channels to protect the water from contamination and to prevent it from freezing in the winter.
Despite its impressive length and engineering, the Aqua Marcia was not without its challenges. The aqueduct was frequently damaged by floods and earthquakes, and required frequent repairs and maintenance. Additionally, the aqueduct was vulnerable to theft and vandalism, as it passed through many different regions and was exposed to the elements.
Despite these challenges, the Aqua Marcia remained in operation for over 400 years, providing a vital source of water for the people of Rome. Its legacy can still be seen today, as many of the arches and bridges of the aqueduct are still standing, and it remains an important piece of Roman history and engineering.
The Aqueduct of Constantinople: Managing the longest water channel of the ancient world
Dust-covered caravans thronged the gates of Gadara and camels stood at the troughs. The researchers found that the entire aqueduct system only contained thin carbonate deposits, representing about 27 years of use. A new aqueduct was therefore built to supply Constantinople from springs 60 kilometers to the west. Many of them have since collapsed or been destroyed, but a number of intact portions remain. Which country has the best Roman ruins? Thus, those who have to conduct water through leaden pipes, may by these rules, excellently regulate its descent, its circuit, the venter, and the compression of the air. Aqueduct of Diocletian — SchiDD from Wikimedia Commons Diocletian was one of the few Roman Emperors to actually retire and give up the throne to his successor.
Top 20 Ancient Roman Aqueducts
The Glennfinnan Viaduct was constructed in a similar manner to many Ancient Roman Aqueuducts. Today the aqueduct stands precariously over Atatürk Boulevard in the bustling city of Istanbul. This colossal waterworks project supplied the great cities of the "Decapolis" -- a league originally consisting of 10 ancient communities -- with spring water. Rodríguez Posada from Wikimedia Commons The aqueduct continued to function for more than 1,000 years, finally being decommissioned in the mid 19 th century. Trevor, Roman Aqueducts and Water Supply, Duckworth Archaeology, 2002, pp.
What was the longest Roman aqueduct?
The tall narrow arches appear to gracefully transverse the landscape, showing how Roman Engineering could be aesthetically pleasing as well as practical. In cities and towns, clean run-off water from aqueducts supported high consumption industries such as Rome's first aqueduct was built in 312 BC, and supplied a water fountain at the city's cattle market. After only a few meters, workers would have had trouble breathing in the dusty passageways. One of the most imposing bridges, that of Ballıgerme, was blown up with dynamite in 2020 by treasure hunters who erroneously believed they could find gold in the ruins. At its peak, the Ancient Roman Empire spread from the British Aisles in the northwest all the way to modern-day Egypt and Iraq in the southeast.
Rome's Tremendous Tunnel: The Ancient World's Longest Underground Aqueduct
Aqueduct of Zaghouan — Tunis, Tunis Governorate, Tunisia Andrea Calabretta from Wikimedia Commons The only aqueduct on this list from the North African coast of the Roman Empire, is the Aqueduct of Zaghouan. Roman aqueducts required a comprehensive system of regular maintenance. This also kept out the light, which stopped the growth of algae. The 426-kilometer-long aqueduct system of Constantinople Credit: ill. The main purpose of Roman aqueducts, or any other aqueduct for that matter, is to transport water. Spring-water was fed into a stone or concrete springhouse, then entered the aqueduct conduit. Frontinus describes the use of temporary leaden conduits to carry the water past damaged stretches while repairs were made, with minimal loss of supply.
