Part 2a: Rome's Imperial Aqueducts

                Beginning from where we left off last post, the Imperial period of Rome saw not only a proliferation in monuments and temples, but in aqueducts as well. Below are listed the seven aqueducts built in the Imperial Period, of which we will explore with the help of Frontinus.

Map of Rome's Aqueducts
(https://www.loebclassics.com/view/LCL174/1925/pb_LCL174.493.xml)

5.       Aqua Julia

The Civil Wars that plagued Rome in the late 2^nd c. BCE and most of the 1^st c. BCE stopped all work on the Aqueducts. It is only when Octavian beings to consolidate his power in 33 BCE is Agrippa, his right hand man, able to build the Aqua Julia. Agrippa brought water to Rome all the way from the Alban Hills (near the source of the Tepula), and had it mixed in with the Tepula water in the piscina outside the city. After the mixing, it travelled in the same conduits and was delivered to the same places of the Tepula, though other lines were installed to expand the distribution even further into the eastern districts.

6.       Aqua Virgo

The Aqua Virgo is the most well preserved of all the aqueducts, despite being built in 19 BCE by Agrippa, and therefore not even being on the of the younger aqueducts. It supplied mainly the Campus Martius, most importantly The Baths of Agrippa located there. It entered the city from the city from the north and was the complimentary line to the Tepula/Julia supplying the area’s they did not. It is important to note that this is the point where the position of curator aquarum is created (Agrippa is the first one) and aqueducts become highly organized from this point forward, working on increasing the area of distribution, as well as the quality of water provided.

7.       Aqua Alsietina (Augusta)

The Aqua Alsientina, also known as the Aqua Augusta, was the most specialized of the all aqueducts as it worked solely to supply the naumachia (a place for mock naval battles) in Region XIV, in addition to the Transtiber estates on the western bank. It was supplied by two lakes northwest of Rome, the Lago di Martignano and the Lago di Bracciano. Unfortunately, due to the heavy pollution of the water it was useless for drinking, of which Frontinus continuously complains about throughout his treatise. It would fall out of use upon the completion of the Traiana.

Bibliography

Evans, Harry B. Water Distribution in Ancient Rome: The Evidence of Frontinus. Ann Arbor:

        University of Michigan Press, 1994.

Frontinus. Stratagems. Aqueducts of Rome. Translated by C. E. Bennett, Mary B.

       McElwain. Loeb Classical Library 174. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1925.