Roman Technology

Intro – Ancient Rome is often considered one of the most technologically advanced civilizations of its time. At its height, the Roman Empire encompassed 2 million 750 thousand square kilometers. This is owed in part to technological marvels created by Roman inventors.

Arches + Concrete – The arch was one of the most important inventions to come out of Rome. This one invention allowed architects to build grand structures, each bigger and more innovative than the last. It allowed for fortified structures that could rise vertically instead of stretch horizontally.
While the arch is important, it would not have been nearly as successful without concrete. This material is present in every part of the Roman Empire and it allowed for large structures that could withstand both the elements and enemy attack. The formula for Roman concrete is lost, however many consider its longevity to be owed to the use of volcanic ash in the mix.

Aqueducts - In Rome's early days their water came from wells, the Tiber River as well as natural springs. As their population grew, it was evident that a new source of water needed to be found in order to supply Rome with water. A citizen named Appius Claudius was tasked with coming up with a solution for this problem. He came up with the idea of using aqueducts to deliver water to Rome from a distance. This idea was not original however, and was based on a system in place by Greeks in south Italy. Aqueducts were large stone structures that were built at a large source of water. This could be a mountain lake or a dam. They were built on a very slight incline towards Rome and gravity carried the water into Rome’s reservoirs.
The first aqueduct, built in 312 BC, had many problems. Over the years Roman engineers perfected the system and by the first century AD Rome has nine fully functional aqueducts bringing in upwards of a million gallons every day.
The massive influx of water caused by the aqueducts allowed for Rome to withstand sieges, quench the thirst of the people and even power machinery.

Water Mills – Water mills provided a quick and efficient way to operate ancient machinery. One of the most important examples of this is the grinding of grain. The grain supply to the city of Rome was considered of great strategic importance to generals and politicians as bread was one of the most consumed items. The water mill allowed for surpluses of grain and provided food during famine and siege.

Plumbing – The importance of plumbing is something easily overlooked in our lives, but in Ancient Rome it was revolutionary. Water delivered by aqueducts was stored in tall cisterns and gravity carried it to its destination. The advanced plumbing in ancient Rome led to many bath houses which increased cleanliness and reduced disease. Another benefit was that water was always available and it was near impossible to go thirsty.
Metallurgy – Ancient Romans had a fine grasp on the working of metals. The people of Italy had been using metal since the Bronze age and by the height of the Empire, gold, silver,copper,tin,bronze and iron were all being used frequently. The use of these metals led to more effective weapons as well as buildings. Armour was better and allowed for the Roman fighting force to dominate opposition.

END - The technology in Rome allowed for benefit in all areas of life as well as an Empire that would span almost the entirety of the known world. Without these technological advances, Rome could have been just another forgotten civilization, but instead it will be remembered forever.