Massive stone and brick channels called aqueducts supplied water to the inhabitants of Rome. At the time of Nero, nine aqueducts brought water down from the mountains, covering many miles till they reached the city of Rome, the water propelled by gravity alone. Rome was known for their structural wonders, and some of their aqueducts have even survived two thousand years after they were built.
Entering the building, Maximus brought Liliana to the brink of the sunken cistern. “From the aqueducts, the water comes through pipes into my storage cisterns. It then flows, for a price, to the fountains and pools of Patricians.”
“But what is the purpose of your cisterns?” said Liliana.
“The Roman State controls the water system and they allow only a select few the privilege of this business. They mound restrictions on us to keep us underfoot.” Maximus pointed to his left, where a stream of water poured into the cistern. “That pipe is my only water source and is sized according to the regulations.”
As described, the water reached its final destinations via licensed water merchants who made a profit by distributing the water. Hundreds of reservoirs and cisterns scattered the city, feeding hundreds of public fountains, baths, and government buildings. The water merchants provided water to the privately owned domus and garden of the wealthy. Strict regulations governed the enterprise and only merchants who obtained license from the government were allowed to sell water.
“But enforcement of the laws are weak,” said Maximus. “The water commissioner does not bother to investigate everyone. He is far too busy. I understand many cunning merchants help themselves to more of their share of water. Some use licenses of now dead merchants to increase their water supply and sell to more of Rome. Others even tap into the waterways at other places, unbeknownst to the officials.”
“What if there is a fire? Could we run out of water?” said Liliana.
“Water flows from the mountains through nine aqueducts. We will not run out of water.”
The water commissioner and his men had charge of maintaining the aqueducts, keeping the water pure and fixing any breaches. An extensive network of pipes ran under the streets of Rome. The aqueducts alone extended for hundreds of miles, all of which had to be inspected and repaired. A second crew of workmen managed the underground pipes, which were constantly wearing down, and being contaminated. In all, the water commissioner had a huge task before him, and many illegal and destructive practices slipped through his notice.
The waterways, though extensive and utilized heavily for many purposes, were not designed to facilitate the fighting of fires—a fact that later came to haunt them when the Great Fire of Rome ravaged the city.
Till the future is history,
~Shane
Remember, Maximus: The Quest For Greatness is coming soon!
Image Credits: Pixabay