WATERS OF ROME

One of the striking features of Rome is it fountains.  The pleasing sound and sight of flowing water is restful and refreshing.  Around many corners there is the unexpected fountain to be discovered.  Water is part of Rome and always has been.

The City was supplied in Roman times by a series of aqueducts, triumphs of Roman engineering.  Much of our knowledge about the Roman water supply comes from 

Sextus Julius Frontinus, the author of De Aquis urbis Romae, a text on the water and aqueducts of Rome. Sextus was Praetor of the city in A. D. 70 and consul in 73, 98 and 100. In 76 he came to Britain as Governor until replaced by Agricola in 78.

In 97 he was given the office of Manager of Aqueducts at Rome during which time (in A.D. 97-98) De Aquis was written. In this he gives some historical details and a description of the aqueducts for the water-supply of the city, with laws relating to them.

To see De Aquis visit Bill Thayer’s website by clicking here.

Associated information about Rome’s aqueducts can be found in an article by Philip Smith at the University of London by clicking here.

I am developing a page devoted to aqueducts in Britannia which can be accessed by clicking here.

Other sites with useful information about the Roman water system can be found as follows

• How did Roman Fountains work (from How Stuff Works)
• Patrons, Ego and the Fountains of Rome (Article by Jason Carr April 1993)
• Fountains and the Lives of Citizens (images and animations of various aspects of water in the life of Romans)

Return to Villa Frontinus home page

Last updated on 21 April 2007

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