Author(s): G. Margaritoraa; M. Spizzirrib; A. Zanobinib
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Cloacae; Cloaca Maxima; Drains; Egg-shaped; Cunette-shaped pipes; River embankments; Flood
Abstract: The history of Roman sewerage systems is here developed; starting with the description of the hydrographic evolution of the river Tiber and with the landscape configuration of the Roman area at the age of foundation, all the main interventions, conducted from Tarquinius Priscus to the construction of the two large drainage pipes on the left and the right river banks, are then listed. The cornerstones of millenary evolution are: the large drains which were created to drain lowlands under the Seven Hills of Rome, whose construction is attributable to Tarquinius Priscus himself, later also become sewage containers; main medieval drains, built in particular during the pontificate of Gregorius IX (1227 – 1241), Gregorius XV (1621 – 1623) and Urban VIII (1623 – 1644) characterized by dimensions suitable for ground water drainage, so that they discharged into the river Tiber water treated by dilution. Works after 1870 (during the Regno d’Italia) were characterized by pipe shapes more suitable for combined flow (egg-shaped or cunette-shaped pipes) and two large pipes (Collettore Basso di Destra and Collettore Basso di Sinistra), integral part of the Carnevari’s project and partly incorporated in the retaining walls of the river, that conveyed sewage to the Tiber downstream of the city.
Year: 2007