Historical development of the Augustan Aqueduct in Southern Italy: twenty centuries of works from Serino to Naples

Feo, Giovanni De; Napoli, R. M. A.

doi:10.2166/ws.2007.015

Cited by 21 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Disposal of domestic human waste with water was a late development in Pompeii. In fact, some residences were equipped with flushing toilets connected to the piped water supply in the post-Augustan period [62], arguably when Pompeii was served by the Aqua Augusta [63]. Pompeian toilets generally had sloping floors in front of them, and they often consisted of wooden seats resting on stone supports, which surrounded the entrance to the cesspit or drain [64].…”

Section: The Roman Period (Ca 1st C Bc-4th C Ad)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of Toilets Worldwide through the Millennia

Antoniou

Feo

Fardin³

et al. 2016

Sustainability

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Throughout history, various civilizations developed methodologies for the collection and disposal of human waste. The methodologies throughout the centuries have been characterized by technological peaks on the one hand, and by the disappearance of the technologies and their reappearance on the other. The purpose of this article is to trace the development of sewage collection and transport with an emphasis on toilets in ancient civilizations. Evolution of the major achievements in the scientific fields of sanitation with emphasis on the lavatory (or toilets) technologies through the centuries up to the present are presented. Valuable insights into ancient wastewater technologies and management with their apparent characteristics of durability, adaptability to the environment, and sustainability are provided. Gradual steps improved the engineering results until the establishment of the contemporary toilet system, which provides a combined solution for flushing, odor control, and the sanitation of sewerage. Even though the lack of proper toilet facilities for a great percentage of the present day global population is an embarrassing fact, the worldwide efforts through millennia for the acquisition of a well-engineered toilet were connected to the cultural level of each period.

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Section: The Roman Period (Ca 1st C Bc-4th C Ad)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of Toilets Worldwide through the Millennia

Antoniou

Feo

Fardin³

et al. 2016

Sustainability

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“…The overflow from the cisterns and the road-side fountains and towers of the water distribution system would have assisted in removing both human and animal waste from the streets [71]. This practice required a significant water supply for Pompeii: this was assured by the Avella's aqueduct, before, and by a branch of the Aqua Augusta, after [72]. As shown in Figure 12, in the streets featured raised sidewalks (50-60 cm high) with stepping stones (the so called pondera) at the intersections to enable pedestrians to cross from one side to the other without stepping down [65,70,73].…”

Section: The Roman Period (Ca 750 Bc-330 Ad)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Historical Development of Sewers Worldwide

et al. 2014

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Abstract:Although there is evidence of surface-based storm drainage systems in early Babylonian and Mesopotamian Empires in Iraq (ca. 4000-2500 BC), it is not until after ca. 3000 BC that we find evidence of the well organized and operated sewer and drainage systems of the Minoans and Harappans in Crete and the Indus valley, respectively. The Minoans and Indus valley civilizations originally, and the Hellenes and Romans thereafter, are considered pioneers in developing basic sewerage and drainage technologies, with OPEN ACCESS Sustainability 2014, 6 3937 emphasis on sanitation in the urban environment. The Hellenes and Romans further developed these techniques and greatly increased the scale of these systems. Although other ancient civilizations also contributed, notably some of the Chinese dynasties, very little progress was made during the Dark ages from ca. 300 AD through to the middle of the 18th century. It was only from 1850 onwards that that modern sewerage was "reborn", but many of the principles grasped by the ancients are still in use today. This paper traces the development of the sewer from those earliest of civilizations through to the present day and beyond. A 6000 year technological history is a powerful validation of the vital contribution of sewers to human history.

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“…Some aqueducts were fed by more than one source (e.g., the aqueducts of Fréjus in France and Aspendos in Turkey), but nearly all had a single target. A noteworthy exception is the Aqua Augusta or Serino Aqueduct (Figure 14), the longest aqueduct in Southern Italy, in the Province of A vellino [59]. The Serino aqueduct was constructed during the Augustan Age (between 33 and 12 BC), when Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was curator aquarum in Rome.…”

Section: Roman Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Serino aqueduct was constructed during the Augustan Age (between 33 and 12 BC), when Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was curator aquarum in Rome. Arguably, the purpose of the aqueduct was to supply the Roman fleet of Misenum, to supply water for the commercial harbour of Puteoli, and to provide drinking water for several towns [59]. The main channel of the Serino aqueduct was approximately 96 km long, and included seven main branches to several towns (e.g., Nola, Pompeii, Acerra, Herculaneum, Atella, Pausillipon, Nisida, Puteoli, Cumae, and Baiae) [59].…”

Section: Roman Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Arguably, the purpose of the aqueduct was to supply the Roman fleet of Misenum, to supply water for the commercial harbour of Puteoli, and to provide drinking water for several towns [59]. The main channel of the Serino aqueduct was approximately 96 km long, and included seven main branches to several towns (e.g., Nola, Pompeii, Acerra, Herculaneum, Atella, Pausillipon, Nisida, Puteoli, Cumae, and Baiae) [59]. The Serino aqueduct ended in the Piscina Mirabilis, a large reservoir 72 m long and 27 m wide, with a capacity of 12,600 m 3 [60,61].…”

Section: Roman Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Historical and Technical Notes on Aqueducts from Prehistoric to Medieval Times

Feo

Angelakis

Antoniou³

et al. 2013

Water

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Abstract:The aim of this paper is to present the evolution of aqueduct technologies through the millennia, from prehistoric to medieval times. These hydraulic works were used by several civilizations to collect water from springs and to transport it to settlements, sanctuaries and other targets. Several civilizations, in China and the Americas, developed water transport systems independently, and brought these to high levels of sophistication. For the Mediterranean civilizations, one of the salient characteristics of cultural development, since the Minoan Era (ca. 3200-1100 BC), is the architectural and hydraulic function of aqueducts used for the water supply in palaces and other settlements. The 1997Minoan hydrologists and engineers were aware of some of the basic principles of water sciences and the construction and operation of aqueducts. These technologies were further developed by subsequent civilizations. Advanced aqueducts were constructed by the Hellenes and, especially, by the Romans, who dramatically increased the application scale of these structures, in order to provide the extended quantities of water necessary for the Roman lifestyle of frequent bathing. The ancient practices and techniques were not improved but survived through Byzantine and early medieval times. Later, the Ottomans adapted older techniques, reintroducing large-scale aqueducts to supply their emerging towns with adequate water for religious and social needs. The scientific approach to engineering matters during the Renaissance further improved aqueduct technology. Some of these improvements were apparently also implemented in Ottoman waterworks. Finally the industrial revolution established mechanized techniques in water acquisition. Water is a common need of mankind, and several ancient civilizations developed simple but practical techniques from which we can still learn. Their experience and knowledge could still play an important role for sustainable water supply, presently and in future, both in developed and developing countries.

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Historical development of the Augustan Aqueduct in Southern Italy: twenty centuries of works from Serino to Naples

Cited by 21 publications

References 4 publications

Evolution of Toilets Worldwide through the Millennia

Evolution of Toilets Worldwide through the Millennia

The Historical Development of Sewers Worldwide

Historical and Technical Notes on Aqueducts from Prehistoric to Medieval Times

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