Who ordered the construction of Aqua Claudia and when did it begin?
Emperor Caligula ordered the work to begin in 38 AD. The aqueduct was not finished until 52 AD under Emperor Claudius.
Questions about Aqua Claudia
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Where are the main springs for Aqua Claudia located?
The main springs named Caeruleus and Curtius sat near the 38th milestone on the Via Sublacensis road. Most of the channel ran underground beneath the Italian landscape before emerging onto visible arches near the seventh mile of the Via Latina.
When were major repairs conducted on Aqua Claudia after its initial failure?
Major repairs began during the reign of Vespasian in 71 AD following a period where the aqueduct had failed. Emperor Titus restored the structure again in 81 AD and Hadrian ordered additional restorations with brick stamps dated to 123 AD.
How did Aqua Claudia become part of Rome's defensive fortifications?
The Aqua Claudia flowed through Porta Maggiore, a gate constructed within the Aurelian Wall in 271 AD. It shared this passage with another great line called Aqua Anio Novus which turned the aqueduct into part of Rome's defensive fortifications rather than just a water carrier.
What bridges survive from the original construction period of Aqua Claudia?
Several bridges survive from the original construction period including Ponte Barucelli and Ponte dell'Inferno. Both date between 38 and 52 AD when the aqueduct was first completed and feature spans built from tuff stone in opus quadratum style.