Agrippa’s Water Plan
Harry B. Evans
American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 86, No. 3 (ul., 1982), 401-411
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‘Tue Aug 31 16:41:52 2004Agrippa’s Water Plan*
HARRY B. EVANS
Abstract
This article examines Agrippa’s contributions to the
development of Rome's aqueduet system. Aldjough the
‘nature of water distribution in the ancient city is essen
‘an unsolved problem, topographical evidence and
stariies on aqueduct delivery furnished by Frontinusin-
dicate tow Agcippa implemented a water plan to meet
tucbaa requirements. In addition to repairing exeier 2¢-
Uedurts, he reworked the republican Aqua Tepula to
Supply private users ia eastern districts, introduced a
new line, the Aqua Julis, to serve needs of the Augustan
building program i eastern and ceneral areas, and fal
yim 19 B.C. buil the Aqua Virgo to distribute water to
the Campus Martius and Transiber. The complemen-
tary funetions and specialized distibution of the diree
‘Aarippan lines are discussed. Agrippa's planning Laid che
foundation for the imperial cura aquarum and was never
entirely superseded
‘OF the nine aqueducts that Frontinus describes in
his account of the development of Rome's water sys-
tem (Aq. 4-16, hereafter cited without ile)’ those
associated with Marcus Agrippa merit special atten
tion in the history of the city’s water supply. Of all
Rome's aqueduct builders, Agrippa alone is credited
with the construction of three separate lines: extensive
reworking of the earlier Aqua Tepula and introduc-
tion of two new agueduets, the Julia and Virgo
(9-10). Agrippa's efforts net only received Augustus
praise (Suet. Aug. 42.1) but were later celebrated in
an extravagant catalogue by the Elder Pliny (AN
36.121}, Their renown was indeed justified: Agrip-
pa’s organization of the aqueduct system laid the
foundation forthe cura aguarumm, the imperial adein-
istration of the water supply established in 11 B.C.,a
year after his death (99.1-3).
‘To comprehend Agrippa’s achievement we must
address a longstanding problem in Roman topogra-
pry, the distribution of water within the ety. Rome's
"An eater version of chia paper was prevented atthe Amer-
lean Philological Associaton weeting in New Orleaes cn Decos=
fer 28, 1940. Taps gratefl to Proesars C, Richardson if and
Robert B. Lay for thee comments and to Mr Richard Bates
for bis cartographic eitarce.
"all ceatone are from C. Kunderewic's Teubner efiton
(eign 1973}.
TR, Lancani, /