Roman Aqueducts and Water Supply (Duckworth Archaeology) [Paperback]

A. Trevor Hodge (Author)

Book Description

Series: Duckworth Archaeology | Publication Date: November 12, 2002

How did a Roman waterworks work? How were the aqueducts planned and built? What happened to the water before it arrived in the aqueduct and after it left, in catchment, urban distribution and drainage? What were the hydraulics and drainage involved? In a comprehensive study ranging through the Roman aqueducts of France, Germany, Spain, North Africa, Turkey and Israel, Trevor Hodge introduces us to these often neglected aspects of what the Romans themselves regarded as one of the greatest glories of their civilisation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"…the book is thorough, utterly practical and highly readable and it will be a long time before it is superseded." -- M.J.T. Lewis, Nature

‘… brings together vast quantities of information in a lively and highly readable form, with notes,illustrations and a comprehensive bibliography.’ -- Harry B. Evans, American Journal of Archaeology

About the Author

A. Trevor Hodge is Distinguished Research Professor of Classics at Carleton University, Ottawa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Duckworth Publishers; 2nd edition (November 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0715631713
• ISBN-13: 978-0715631713
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #486,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why, when in Rome, you could drink the water., August 25, 2005

By 

George Riley (Worcester, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Roman Aqueducts and Water Supply (Duckworth Archaeology) (Paperback)

This book will appeal to two kinds of people: those who have engineering or technical backgrounds, and those who don't. My wife is in the second category. She found the history and details of the water supply gave a fascinating window into ordinary life in Roman times. The problem that every civilization must solve, obtaining and distributing potable water, solved in a characteristically Roman manner by efficient public construction.

As an engineer, I became fascinated with the technical knowledge and skills demonstrated. Both civil engineering and hydraulic engineering expertise, achieving fine results with crude instruments. We marvel at Roman stonework, but keeping a constant slope over several kilometers is more technically difficult.

I found that much of what one knows about aqueducts isn't true. Siphons to cross valleys, instead of more costly and difficult bridges. Manholes at frequent intervals, for manually cleaning out limestone deposits, the bane of the system. Concrete and polished hydraulic cement. Who knew?

While the topics are technical, the writing is clear and self-explanatory, and the text is profusely illustrated. As long as you remember that water runs downhill, you'll be technically comfortable. The text follows the downhill flow of the water through the system, from the lakes or springs, to the cities, to the baths and fountains, to the sewers.

My major complaint is poor availability. Despite Amazon's current (August '05) "normally 3 to 5 weeks" to ship, I've now waited over 30 days for my second copy, and have been advised of at least another 30 day delay. My emailed enquiry to the publisher went unanswered.

I want to share this book with friends, but not my copy. "There are two kinds of fools: those who lend books, and those who return them." So, order yours now. Maybe you'll get it by Christmas. Enjoy!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have book for Ancient Rome lovers., April 6, 2006

By 

J. Bauer "TwoKings" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Roman Aqueducts and Water Supply (Duckworth Archaeology) (Paperback)

I bought this book because it was one of the few recommended books about aqueducts to be recommended to me for my writing about Ancient Rome. I have no engineering experience, but found the book to be very easy to follow and enjoyable to read.

All the questions I had about aqueducts were answered in this book and it gave me more than enough information on the subject.

I wish my history professors in college would have used sections of this book during the discussions on aqueducts because we were taught so little about these engineering miracles.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, March 21, 2007

By 

Phokus (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roman Aqueducts and Water Supply (Duckworth Archaeology) (Paperback)

After reading "Pompeii: A Novel" (Robert Harris) I was keen to read more on the details of the aqueducts that starred in Harris' book and found this book.

If you've even wondered "how did they do it" then this book will tell you. While sometimes a little lacking in punctuation the book flows well and is well illustrated.

I was certainly left with a renewed respect for the Roman engineers after reading this.

And apart from the engineering it gives you an insight into a completely different cultural perspective. Hodge makes the case that, contrary to popular belief, the aqueducts were primarily for what we might view as an extravagance given the cost - public & private baths and water features.