PRESENTATION OUTLINE
The Western Roman Empire may have fallen more than 1,500 years ago, but its rich legacy of innovation and invention can still be seen today.
From aqueducts to newspapers, find out more about 10 innovations that built ancient Rome.
The Romans were prodigious builders and expert civil engineers.
Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain, for instance, is supplied by a restored version of the Aqua Virgo, one of ancient Rome’s 11 aqueducts.
The Romans enjoyed many amenities for their day, including public toilets, underground sewage systems, fountains and ornate public baths.
While the Romans did not invent the aqueduct—primitive canals for irrigation and water transport existed earlier in Egypt.
At its height, the Roman empire encompassed nearly 1.7 million square miles and included most of southern Europe.
These Roman roads—many of which are still in use today—were constructed with a combination of dirt, gravel and bricks made from granite or hardened volcanic lava.
The Romans built over 50,000 miles of road by 200 A.D., primarily in the service of military conquest.
