how old is the roman aqueduct at nimes france

What is the Nîmes aqueduct?

Map of the aqueduct of the Nîmes (aqueduct in green) The Nîmes aqueduct is THE Roman aqueduct "par excellence", one of the most famous, most spectacular and best researched aqueducts of the Roman empire. Its main bridge, the Pont du Gard, is what most people have in mind when the word aqueduct is mentioned, and justly so.

Where is the aqueduct from Fontaine d'Eure to Nemausus?

The Roman aqueduct from Fontaine d'Eure near Uzès to Nemausus (Nîmes) passes over the Pont du Gard, and many other significant bridges (not to scale). The location of Nemausus (Nîmes) was somewhat inconvenient when it came to providing a water supply.

What is the best preserved Roman aqueduct?

The N mes aqueduct is one of the best preserved and best researched ones in the Roman world. In the period 1984 - 1990 detailed studies were made on the aqueduct from its source in Uz s via the famous Pont du Gard into the upper regions of the city of N mes.

What is the name of the Roman aqueduct in Athens?

Athena Review. Archived from the original on 2017-11-15. Retrieved 2015-09-02. ^ "Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct)". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 17 October 2021. ^ Hodge, A. Trevor (2002). Roman aqueducts & water supply (2 ed.). London: Duckworth. p. 184.

How old is the oldest aqueduct?

Metro Construction Uncovers Possible Oldest Aqueduct in Rome - Archaeology Magazine. ROME, ITALY—The Local, Italy, reports that a 100-foot-long section of 2,300-year-old aqueduct was discovered in Rome's historic city center during the excavation of a ventilation shaft for the new C metro line.

How old is the Roman aqueduct?

Roman aqueduct systems were built over a period of about 500 years, from 312 B.C. to A.D. 226. Both public and private funds paid for construction. High-ranking rulers often had them built; the Roman emperors Augustus, Caligula, and Trajan all ordered aqueducts built.

What is the oldest aqueduct in the world?

The Segovia aqueduct in Segovia, Spain. The aqueduct was built of some 24,000 dark-coloured Guadarrama granite blocks without the use of mortar. The aboveground portion is 728 metres (2,388 feet) long and consists of some 165 arches more than 9 metres (30 feet) high.

When was the Pont du Gard aqueduct built?

Pont du Gard, (French: “Bridge of the Gard”) giant bridge-aqueduct, a notable ancient Roman engineering work constructed about 19 bce to carry water to the city of Nîmes over the Gard River in southern France.

When was the last Roman aqueduct built?

226 ADThe last Roman aqueduct built was the Aqua Alexandrina built in 226 AD. In the waning days of the western empire, invading Germanic tribes cut the supply of water into Rome and only the Aqua Virgo, which ran completely underground, continued to deliver water.

When was the first aqueduct built?

312 BCThe first aqueduct was the Aqua Appia, erected in 312 BC by the censor Appius Claudius Caecus (c. 340 to 273 BC). During the Republican period, three more aqueducts were built: the Anio Vetus (272 to 269 BC), Aqua Marcia (144 to 140 BC), and Aqua Tepula (126 to 125 BC) (Bruun 2013, 298).

Where is the longest Roman aqueduct?

The largest Roman aqueduct still in use (after an amazing 19 centuries) is at modern-day Segovia in Spain. Probably first constructed in the first century under the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan, it transports water over 20.3 miles, from the Fuenta Fría river to Segovia.

Where was the first aqueduct built?

In 312 B.C. Appius Claudius built the first aqueduct for the city of Rome. The Romans were still a tightly knit body of citizens whose lives centered on the seven hills within the city wall beside the Tiber river.

Where is the largest aqueduct in the world?

AHMEDABAD: The Mahi aqueduct, built across river Mahi, at chainage 142 km of the Narmada main canal (NMC), is the largest aqueduct in the world. The NMC, the largest concrete lined irrigation canal in the world, crosses many rivers on its long journey.

How old is the Pont de Gard?

1,962Pont du Gard / Age (c. 60 AD)

How many years did it take to build the Pont du Gard?

The main work lasted between 10 and 15 years, under the reigns of Claudius and Nero, with the Pont du Gard taking less than five years. The aqueduct in its entirety counts several hundred meters of tunnels, three basins and some twenty bridges, of which the Pont du Gard remains the most spectacular.

Who built Pont du Gard aqueduct?

The Pont du Gard is an aqueduct in the South of France constructed by the Roman Empire, and located in Vers-Pont-du-Gard near Remoulins, in the Gard département. It has long been thought that the Pont du Gard was built by Augustus' son-in-law and aide, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, around the year 19 BC.

Do any Roman aqueducts still work?

There is even a Roman aqueduct that is still functioning and bringing water to some of Rome's fountains. The Acqua Vergine, built in 19 B.C., has been restored several time, but lives on as a functioning aqueduct.

How long was the longest Roman aqueduct?

Scientists investigated the longest aqueduct of the time, the 426-kilometer-long Aqueduct of Valens supplying Constantinople, and revealed new insights into how this structure was maintained back in time. Aqueducts are very impressive examples of the art of construction in the Roman Empire.

When were the Roman aqueducts destroyed?

In the year 537 (AD), during the Gothic wars, the Ostrogoth King Vitiges destroyed sections of the aqueducts in an attempt to starve Rome of the water supply.

How long were the aqueducts in Rome?

about 31 milesThe total length of the aqueduct was about 31 miles, though, considering its winding journey. Aqueducts were not the Roman's choice for water-delivery systems, as they would use buried pipes when possible (much easier to bury a pipe than build an above-ground system).

What is the name of the Roman aqueduct?

The Nîmes aqueduct is THE Roman aqueduct "par excellence", one of the most famous, most spectacular and best researched aqueducts of the Roman empire. Its main bridge, the Pont du Gard, is what most people have in mind when the word aqueduct is mentioned, and justly so. The aqueduct is special for several reasons.

When was the Eure aqueduct built?

In the second half of the first century, therefore the Eure aqueduct was built. The city gradually declined in importance after the middle of the third century, and was occupied by the Visigoths in the fourth century.

How was the Nîmes aqueduct built?

It was constructed by digging a trench in which a stone channel was built and enclosed by an arched roof of stone slabs, which was then covered with earth. Some sections of the channel are tunnelled through solid rock.

How high was the Roman aqueduct?

By varying the gradient along the route, the aqueduct's engineers were able to lower the height of the bridge by 6 metres (20 ft) to 48.77 metres (160.0 ft) above the river – still exceptionally high by Roman standards, but within acceptable limits.

How much water did Pont du Gard supply?

Pont du Gard viewed from adjacent bridge. It is estimated that the aqueduct supplied the city with around 40,000 cubic metres (8,800,000 imp gal) of water a day that took nearly 27 hours to flow from the source to the city.

How steep is the gradient before Pont du Gard?

The gradient profile before the Pont du Gard is relatively steep, descending at 0.67 metres (2 ft 2 in) per kilometre, but thereafter it descends by only 6 metres (20 ft) over the remaining 25 kilometres (16 mi).

How high is the gradient of the Pont du Gard?

It varies widely along its course, but is as little as 1 in 20,000 in some sections. The Pont du Gard itself descends 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in 456 m (1,496 ft), a gradient of 1 in 18,241.

Where is the aqueduct from Fontaine d'Eure?

Route of the Nîmes aqueduct. The Roman aqueduct from Fontaine d'Eure near Uzès to Nemausus (Nîmes) passes over the Pont du Gard, and many other significant bridges (not to scale). The location of Nemausus (Nîmes) was somewhat inconvenient when it came to providing a water supply.

Where is the Pont du Gard?

It crosses the river Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France.

Why was the Pont du Gard built?

Thus, from 40AD, over 1,000 workers were engaged in building Pont du Gard in order to transfer water from the Gard River (the Eure) to the city. Upon its completion, it would stay in use until the sixth century, when it was finally abandoned. Pont du Gard aqueduct remains one of humankind’s great masterpieces.

What was the main city of Gaul before the Roman Empire?

Nimes had been a major city of Gaul before 45BC, when it was incorporated in the Roman Empire. As the city’s population grew, exceeding 20,000, the need for water surpassed the available supplies of the Nemausus spring. Thus, from 40AD, over 1,000 workers were engaged in building Pont du Gard in order to transfer water from the Gard River (the Eure) to the city. Upon its completion, it would stay in use until the sixth century, when it was finally abandoned.

Where is Pont du Gard?

Pont du Gard is an iconic Ancient Roman bridge and aqueduct built in first century AD and located near Nimes in France. In fact, it was the tallest bridge ever built by the Romans, rising 160 feet.

Is Pont du Gard a World Heritage Site?

Since then, Pont du Gard has undergone a series of restoration projects and is now a spectacular place to visit. In 1985 it was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Is Pont du Gard a masterpiece?

Pont du Gard aqueduct remains one of humankind’s great masterpieces. A marvel of Antiquity and a true technical feat, it is also a stupendous site that has regained its unspoiled state since its refurbishment. Since then, Pont du Gard has undergone a series of restoration projects and is now a spectacular place to visit.