Viaducts and Vaults by Alistair L. Walker

Some of these can still be seen today traversing European valleys.

The most recognizable feature of Roman aqueducts may be the bridges constructed using rounded stone arches. High-ranking rulers often had them built the Roman emperors Augustus, Caligula, and Trajan all ordered aqueducts built. Both public and private funds paid for construction. Roman aqueduct systems were built over a period of about 500 years, from 312 B.C.E. As water flowed into the cities, it was used for drinking, irrigation, and to supply hundreds of public fountains and baths. Gravity and the natural slope of the land allowed aqueducts to channel water from a freshwater source, such as a lake or spring, to a city. They were made from a series of pipes, tunnels, canals, and bridges. Evidence of aqueducts remain in parts of modern-day France, Spain, Greece, North Africa, and Turkey.Īqueducts required a great deal of planning. Though earlier civilizations in Egypt and India also built aqueducts, the Romans improved on the structure and built an extensive and complex network across their territories. Aqueducts were amazing feats of engineering given the time period. Saving Earth Britannica Presents Earth’s To-Do List for the 21st Century.The Roman aqueduct was a channel used to transport fresh water to highly populated areas.100 Women Britannica celebrates the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, highlighting suffragists and history-making politicians.COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.

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Viaducts and Vaults by Alistair L. Walker