The Romans are known for their remarkable engineering feats, be they roads, bridges, tunnels, or their impressive aqueducts. Their constructions, many of them still standing, are a testament to their superior engineering skills and ingenuity. Roman engineers improved upon older ideas and inventions to introduce a great number of innovations. They developed materials and techniques that revolutionized bridge and aqueducts' construction, perfected ancient weapons and developed new ones, while inventing machines that harnessed the power of water. Roman engineering accomplishments generated much wealth and prosperity, improving the daily lives of Romans and helping Rome maintain its dominance in Europe and the Mediterranean for centuries.
More about: Roman EngineeringDefinition
Timeline
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321 BCEThe Via Appia, a famous Roman road, is constructed.
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312 BCERome's first aqueduct constructed, the 16 km long Aqua Appia.
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144 BCE - 140 BCERome's 91 km long Aqua Marcia aqueduct constructed.
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c. 20 BCEMilitary engineer and architect Vitruvius publishes his "De Architectura".
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c. 20 BCEThe Campus Martius baths in Rome are constructed and donated to the people by Agrippa.
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41 CERoman emperor Claudius builds a 6 km tunnel to drain the Fucine Lake.
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c. 50 CEThe largest Roman aqueduct, 49 m high, completed at Pont du Gard.
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72 CEVespasian begins construction of the Colosseum in Rome.
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110 CEThe Baths of Trajan in Rome are completed.
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122 CEConstruction begins on Hadrian's Wall.
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c. 125 CEThe Pantheon is completed in Rome.
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c. 235 CEThe Baths of Caracalla in Rome are completed.
