We asked Aicher, author of "Guide to the Aqueducts of Ancient Rome," about the Romans' sophisticated water distribution system, including its elegant aqueducts. Here's what he told us: NOVA ...

Rome, for example, was supplied by aqueducts totaling 315 miles in length. Of that, 269 miles ran underground and 46 total miles aboveground; however, only about 36 miles consisted of arched ...

Every stage of the aqueduct has to be carefully planned to ensure that the water, pulled by gravity, makes its way gradually downhill to the city. Roughly four of every five miles of Rome's ...

Rome’s 11 aqueducts, some extending for more than 50 miles, transported enough water to feed the city’s 591 public fountains, as well as countless private residences. However, experts have ...