Roman Aqueduct Innovation explores the pivotal role of Roman aqueducts in shaping the Empire's dominance across the Mediterranean. It argues these structures were more than just conduits for water; they were complex systems integral to the Empire's socio-economic fabric.
The book unveils how the Romans' mastery of hydraulics sustained growing cities and influenced public health, enabling advancements from sanitation to industrial production. The book highlights the innovative engineering and meticulous maintenance that ensured the longevity of these systems.
The book uniquely examines aqueducts as integrated systems, encompassing their physical construction alongside their social and environmental impacts. It begins by outlining fundamental principles of Roman hydraulics and construction before delving into case studies from various regions, including Italy, Gaul, and North Africa.
A dedicated section uncovers the organizational structures that maintained these systems for centuries. The book then analyzes the aqueducts' influence on urban life, considering factors like population density and the development of public amenities.
