Place to see: Roman Aqueduct, Rome, Italy

Postcards about Roman Aqueduct:

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  12 July 2008
  From:
  Anne Beach

  Picnic in the shade of the Roman aqueducts and consider the rise and fall of Rome herself. The aqueducts were an engineering marvel that showed the genius of Rome. Water would only flow if the exact gradience were maintained, sometimes requiring circuitous routes to work with the topography. After centuries of continous construction, the Romans were not as dedicated to maintenance, perhaps resting on their laurels, and this neglect in addition to sabotage by the invading Goths, led to the deterioration of the aqueducts. Their decline not only accompanied but precipitated the fall of the glory that was Rome.

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  12 July 2008
  From:
  Anne Beach

  Ancient Roman aqueducts were built between the fourth century BC and the third century AD because the use of the Tiber for raw sewage was causing disease and necessitated transport of water from outside. Flow requiring gradience, the conduit was raised on its familiar arches as it approached the city. In the sixth century AD, the Goths interrupted the precious flow of this elixir in their seige of Rome, most of the system unrestored until the Renaissance. With the Goth sabotage and general lack of maintenacne of the system, Rome's population could no longer be supported and declined.