Aquaduct

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Aquaduct

What is an aquaduct? An Aquaduct is an artificial channel built to

transport water. An aquaduct may be an open or enclosed canal, a

tunnel, or a pipeline; an aquaduct bridge is a structure that carries

a canal over a valley or a river.

Aquaducts were constructed by ancient cultures in regions such as

India and Mesopotamia, but the aquaduct system constructed by the

ancient Romans were probably the most extensive in the ancient world.

The first to be built by the Romans, Aqua Apia, was an underground

aquaduct about 16 km (10 mi) long. More than ten aquaducts supplied

ancient Rome, providing the city with some 143,845 cubic meters (38

million gallons) of water each day. Parts of several are still in use

today. They supply water to fountains in Rome. Also, the ancient

Romans built aquaducts in all parts of their

Empire, many of which are still standing. How does an aquaduct work?

Water from a spring in the hills is collected in a reservoir to build

up pressure and ensure a steady supply to the city. This water flows

along the aquaduct (at a slope of about 1 in 1000, meaning than for

every 1000 feet in length, the water would flow downwards 1 foot.)

Upon reaching the city, is distributed via the many public fountains

and pipes. Why did the Romans use aquaducts? The Romans used aquaducts

because the city of Rome was too large to be supported by its own

water supply. The city's wells became insufficient, and aquaducts were

built to bring water from surrounding hills. Some were over 50 miles

long.

Some famous aquaducts the Aqua Antinomian is most noted for the famous

arch of druses, once mistakenly identified as a triumphal arch. Later,

though, it came to be known as a support for the aquaduct Antinomian,

the supply of water for the baths of Caracalla. The Aqua Marcia, built

in 140 BC is an excellent example of several aquaducts that converge

in a central location, in this case, the Parco Appio Claudio.

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