Aqua Appia

Welcome to the site of the Aqua Appia, the very first aqueduct in the long and storied history of Rome. As we stand here near the ancient heart of the city, I want you to imagine a time, over two thousand three hundred years ago,…

To understand the Aqua Appia, one must understand the man who broke every rule to see it finished: Appius Claudius Caecus. As a censor in 312 BCE, Appius was a figure of immense controversy and even greater ambition. …

While we are accustomed to seeing the soaring arches of later aqueducts, like the Aqua Claudia, the Aqua Appia was a much more modest affair on the surface. For over 99 percent of its nearly 10-mile length, the water flowed…

The arrival of the Aqua Appia in 312 BCE did more than just provide drinking water; it revolutionized the Roman lifestyle. Before this, the concept of a 'thermae' or large-scale public bath was nonexistent in the city. …

It is impossible to separate the Aqua Appia from the geopolitical climate of the late 4th century BCE. Rome was locked in a bitter struggle with the Samnites, a league of mountain tribes who were fiercely independent and resented…

The legacy of the Aqua Appia laid the groundwork for the incredibly sophisticated water culture that travelers still admire in Rome today. Think of the Trevi Fountain or the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona; these are…

For our final look at the physical context of the Aqua Appia, we must consider its terminus. The water ended its journey in the Forum Boarium, the ancient cattle market located between the Palatine and Aventine hills, right next…

As we conclude our exploration of the Aqua Appia, I invite you to reflect on the nature of history. Often, the most influential developments are those that we cannot see. …