Roman Aqueducts and Water Management

Roman aqueducts were a remarkable engineering feat, designed to transport fresh water to cities using gravity. They were primarily built underground, with water flowing through channels lined with hydraulic mortar. Engineers overcame terrain challenges by using mining techniques and building bridges. Water flow was managed with special valves and distributed throughout cities via a network of pipes. The aqueducts were so well constructed that some are still in use today.

What was the primary purpose of Roman aqueducts?

• To store grain and other supplies

• To act as roads for transportation

• To serve as defensive structures

• To transport fresh water to cities

How did Romans ensure water flowed by gravity?

• By using pumps

• By establishing the correct slope

• By building dams

• By using windmills

What was the purpose of depressurization falls in Roman aqueducts?

• To increase water speed

• To allow impurities to settle

• To store excess water

• To generate electricity

What technique did Roman engineers use to tunnel through hills?

• Explosives

• Vertical shafts every 30 meters

• Water jets

• Steam drills

How did Romans stabilize high arches in aqueducts?

• By using wooden supports

• By limiting height and adding stories

• By filling them with concrete

• By using steel reinforcements

What is an inverted siphon?

• A type of water storage tank

• A tool for measuring water flow

• A pipe system using pressure to move water

• A method to lift water uphill

What were SLO Gates used for in Roman aqueducts?

• To divert and regulate water flow

• To clean the water

• To measure water temperature

• To store water for emergencies

Where did the water go once it reached the city?

• Into underground storage tanks

• Into a central reservoir

• Into a basin called castellum divisor

• Directly to the ocean

What materials were used for the pipes in Roman cities?

• Copper and iron

• Wood and stone

• Plastic and rubber

• Lead and terracotta

What is a testament to the engineering skills of the Romans?

• Their aqueducts are still in use today

• Their roads are still the main highways

• Their buildings are still the tallest

• Their ships are still sailing