1. Cum omnis res ab imperatore delegata intentiorem exigat curam, et me seu naturalis sollicitudo seu fides sedula non ad diligentiam modo verum ad amorem quoque commissae rei instigent sitque nunc mihi ab Nerva Augusto, nescio diligentiore an amantiore rei publicae imperatore, aquarum iniunctum officium ad usum, tum ad salubritatem atque etiam securitatem urbis pertinens, administratum per principes semper civitatis nostrae viros, primum ac potissimum existimo, sicut in ceteris negotiis institueram, nosse quod suscepi.
1. Since every matter delegated by the emperor demands the most attentive care, and since in me whether by natural solicitude or by a diligent fidelity I am urged not only to diligence but also to love for the thing entrusted, and now the office imposed upon me by Nerva Augustus — whether I know not if a more diligent or a more loving emperor of the res publica — pertains to the waters, to their use, and to the salubrity and even the safety of the city, I judge it first and foremost, as I have laid down in other affairs, to know thoroughly what I have undertaken, this office being administered always by the leading men of our state.
2. Neque enim ullum omnis actus certius fundamentum crediderim, aut aliter quae facienda quaeque vitanda sint posse decerni, aliudve tam indecorum tolerabili viro, quam delegatum officium ex adiutorum agere praeceptis, quod fieri necesse est, quotiens imperitia praepositi ad illorum decurrit usum; quorum etsi necessariae partes sunt ad ministerium, tamen ut manus quaedam et instrumentum agentis. *** Quapropter ea quae ad universam rem pertinentia contrahere potui, more iam per multa mihi officia servato in ordinem et velut corpus diducta in hunc commentarium contuli, quem pro formula administrationis respicere possem. In aliis autem libris, quos post experimenta et usum composui, succedentium res acta est; huius commentarii pertinebit fortassis et ad successorem utilitas, sed cum inter initia administrationis meae scriptus sit, in primis ad meam institutionem regulamque proficiet.
2. For I would not have believed any foundation of every action more certain, nor that what things are to be done and what to be avoided could be decided otherwise, nor any other thing so unbecoming to a man of dignity as to discharge a delegated office by carrying out the directions of assistants — which must happen whenever the ignorance of the man put in charge resorts to the use of those men; who, although they are necessary parts for the service, are nevertheless as it were the hands and the instrument of the actor. *** Wherefore those things which I could gather pertaining to the whole affair, after many services to me had already set them in order and drawn them out like a body, I have compiled into this commentary, which I might regard as a formula of administration. In other books, which I composed after experiment and use, the business of succeeding matters is treated; the utility of this commentary will perhaps also extend to my successor, but since it was written among the beginnings of my administration, it will foremost serve my own instruction and rule.
3. Ac ne quid ad totius rei pertinens notitiam praetermisisse videar, nomina primum aquarum, quae in urbem Romam influunt, ponam; tum per quos quaeque earum et quibus consulibus, quoto post urbem conditam anno perducta sit; dein quibus ex locis et a quoto miliario capta sit ac quantum subterraneo rivo, quantum substructione, quantum opere arcuato; post altitudinem cuiusque modulorumque erogationes ab illis factae sint, quantum extra urbem, quantum intra urbem unicuique regioni pro suo modo unaquaeque aquarum serviat; quot castella publica sint, et ex eis quantum publicis operibus, quantum muneribus ( ita enim cultiores appellant) quantum lacibus, quantum nomine Caesaris, quantum privatorum usibus beneficio principis detur; quod ius ducendarum tuendarumque sit earum, quae id sanciant poenae lege, senatus consultis, mandatis principum inrogatae.
3. And lest I seem to have passed over anything pertinent to the knowledge of the whole matter, I will first set down the names of the waters which flow into the city of Rome; then by whom each of them and in which consuls, in what year counted from the founding of the city, it was conducted; then from what places and at what mile-marker it is taken and how much by subterranean channel, how much by substruction, how much by vaulted work; afterward the height of each and the disbursements of their modules made from them, how much outside the city, how much within the city, and how each of the waters serves each region in its own manner; how many public castella there are, and from them how much is allotted to public works, how much to munera (for thus the more cultured call them), how much to basins, how much in the name of Caesar, how much is granted for private uses by the benefit of the prince; what the right is of conducting and guarding them, which is imposed by penalty of law, by senatorial decrees, by mandates of the princes.
4. Ab urbe condita per annos quadringentos quadraginta unum contenti fuerunt Romani usu aquarum, quas aut ex Tiberi aut ex puteis aut ex fontibus hauriebant. Fontium memoria cum sanctitate adhuc exstat et colitur; salubritatem aegris corporibus afferre creduntur, sicut Camenarum et Apollinis et Iuturnae. Nunc autem in urbem influunt aqua Appia, Anio Vetus, Marcia, Tepula, Iulia, Virgo, Alsietina quae eadem vocatur Augusta, Claudia, Anio Novus.
4. From the founding of the city for 441 years the Romans were content with the use of waters which they drew either from the Tiber or from wells or from springs. The memory of the springs still stands and is worshipped with sanctity; they are believed to bring health to sick bodies, as those of the Camenae and of Apollo and of Juturna. But now into the city flow the waters Appia, Anio Vetus, Marcia, Tepula, Iulia, Virgo, Alsietina (which is likewise called Augusta), Claudia, Anio Novus.
5. M. Valerio Maximo P. Decio Mure consulibus, anno post initium Samnitici belli tricesimo aqua Appia in urbem inducta est ab Appio Claudio Crasso censore, cui postea Caeco fuit cognomen, qui et Viam Appiam a Porta Capena usque ad urbem Capuam muniendam curavit. Collegam habuit C. Plautium, cui ob inquisitas eius aquae venas Venocis cognomen datum est. Sed quia is intra annum et sex menses deceptus a collega tamquam idem facturo abdicavit censura, nomen aquae ad Appii tantum honorem pertinuit, qui multis tergiversationibus extraxisse censuram traditur, donec et viam et huius aquae ductum consummaret.
5. In the consulship of M. Valerius Maximus and P. Decius Mure, in the thirtieth year after the beginning of the Samnite war, the Aqua Appia was brought into the city by Appius Claudius Crassus, censor, who afterwards bore the cognomen Caecus, and who likewise took care to construct the Via Appia from the Porta Capena as far as the city of Capua. He had as colleague G. Plautius, to whom, because he explored the veins (vestiges) of that water, the cognomen Venox was given. But because he, within a year and six months, was deceived by his colleague and abdicated the censorship as if he would have done the same, the name of the aqueduct pertained solely to the honour of Appius, who is said, after many delays, to have withdrawn from the censorship until he had completed both the road and the duct of this water.
The Appian is conceived in the Lucullan ager, on the Via Praenestina between the seventh and eighth mile-marker, by a leftward deverticulum of 780 paces. Its duct has a length from the head as far as the Salinae — which place is at the Porta Trigemina — of 11,190 paces; from that point there is an underground channel of 11,130 paces, above ground a substruction and arched work next to the Porta Capena of 60 paces. To it is joined, at the Spes Vetern on the boundary of the gardens of the Torquatiani and Epaphroditiani, a branch of the Augusta, added by Augustus in supplement to it, *** loco nomen *** denti Gemellorum.
Here the Via Praenestina, at the sixth milepost, by a leftward turning of 880 paces, receives the spring of the Via Collatina. Whose conduit, as far as the Gemelli, is carried by an underground stream for 6,380 paces. The Appian begins to be distributed at the foot of the Publicius Slope by the Porta Trigemina, a place called the Salinae.
6. Post annos quadraginta quam Appia perducta est, anno ab urbe condita quandringentesimo octogesimo uno M'. Curius Dentatus, qui censuram cum Lucio Papirio Cursore gessit, Anionis qui nunc Vetus dicitur aquam perducendam in urbem ex manubiis de Pyrro captis locavit, Spurio Carvilio Lucio Papirio consulibus iterum. Post biennium deinde actum est in senatu de consummando eius aquae opere referente *** norumi *** praetore. Tum ex senatus consulto duumviri aquae perducendae creati sunt Curius, qui eam locaverat et Fulvius Flaccus.
6. After forty years from when the Appian Way was brought through, in the year from the founding of the city 481, M. Curius Dentatus, who held the censorship with Lucius Papirius Cursor, let the water of the Anio, which is now called the Vetus, be led into the city, having placed it from spoils taken from Pyrrhus, in the consulship again of Spurius Carvilius and Lucius Papirius. Two years later there was acted in the senate concerning the completion of that water-work, the praetor reporting. Then, by decree of the senate, the duumviri for conducting the water were appointed: Curius, who had contracted it, and Fulvius Flaccus.
Curius died within the fifth day after he had been created duumvir; the glory of the aqueduct’s bringing-in remained with Fulvius. The Anio Vetus is taken up above Tibur at the twentieth mile outside the Gate *** Ra *** nam, where it gives a portion to Tiburtine use. Its duct has a length, thus measured by surveying, of 43,000 paces: from it an underground channel is 42,779 paces, the superstructure above ground 221 paces.
7. Post annos centum viginti septem, id est anno ab urbe condita sexcentesimo octavo, Ser. Sulpicio Galba Lucio Aurelio Cotta consulibus cum Appiae Anionisque ductus vetustate quassati privatorum etiam fraudibus interciperentur, datum est a senatu negotium Marcio, qui tum praetor inter cives his dicebat, eorum ductuum reficiendorum ac vindicandorum. Et quoniam incrementum urbis exigere videbatur ampliorem modum aquae, eidem mandatum a senatu est, ut curaret, quatenus alias aquas posset in urbem perducere.
7. After 127 years, that is in the year from the founding of the city 608, in the consulship of Ser. Sulpicius Galba and Lucius Aurelius Cotta, the Appian and Anian conduits, shaken by antiquity and even intercepted by the frauds of private persons, were entrusted by the senate to Marcius, who then, as praetor presiding among the citizens, was charged with the restoring and reclaiming of those conduits. And because the growth of the city seemed to demand a larger supply of water, the same man was given a commission by the senate to see to it that he might bring other waters into the city.
*** He restored the earlier conduits and led a third, more healthful one for them, which from its builder bears the name Marcia. We read in Fenestella, in those works, that a decree of eight hundred thousand sesterces was given to Marcius, and because the term of the praetorship was not sufficient to complete the business, it was prolonged into a second year. At that time the decemviri, while for other reasons they inspect the Sibylline books, are said to have found that it was not lawful that the Aqua Marcia, or rather the Anio (for this is more steadily reported), be conducted to the Capitol; and on that matter, with M. Lepidus speaking for the college, an act was passed in the consulship of Appius Claudius and Q. Caecilius, and the same thing was taken up again after the third year by L. Lentulus in the consulship of C. Laelius and Q. Servilius; yet on both occasions the favor of Marcus Regis prevailed: and so the water was brought into the Capitol.
Concipitur Marcia
Via Valeria at the thirty-sixth milestone, turning off to the right when leaving the city of Rome, three thousand paces. At Sublacensis, which under the prince Nero was first paved, at the thirty-eighth milestone to the left, within two hundred paces, a spring *** under *** of stone *** stands motionless, like a pond in a pre‑green colour. Its conduit has a length from the source to the city of 61,710.5 paces; by an underground channel 54,247.5 paces; the above‑ground work 7,463 paces: from it farther from the city in several places through valleys by arched work 463 paces, nearer the city from the seventh milestone on the substruction 528 paces, the remaining by arched work 6,472 paces.
8. Cn. Servilius Caepio et L. Cassius Longinus, qui Ravilla appellatus est, censores anno post urbem conditam sexcentesimo vicesimo septimo, M. Plautio Hypsaeo M. Fulvio Flacco cos., aquam quae vocatur Tepula ex agro Lucullano, quem quidam Tusculanum credunt, Romam et in Capitolium adducendam curaverunt. Tepula concipitur Via Latina ad decimum miliarium deverticulo euntibus ab Roma dextrorsus milium passuum duum ***inde suo rivo in urbem perducebatur.
8. Gn. Servilius Caepio and L. Cassius Longinus, who was called Ravilla, were censors in the year 627 since the founding of the city, when Marcus Plautius Hypsaeus and Marcus Fulvius Flaccus were consuls; they saw to the bringing of the water called Tepula from the Lucullan field, which some believe to be Tusculan, to Rome and to the Capitol. The Tepula is taken in from the Via Latina at the tenth mile, at the turning for those going from Rome to the right, at two thousand paces, ***from there it was led into the city by its own channel.
9. Post ***Agrippa aedilis post primum consulatum imperatore Caesare Augusto II L. Volcatio cos., anno post urbem conditam septingentesimo nono decimo ad miliarium ab urbe duodecimum Via Latina deverticulo euntibus ab Roma dextrorsus milium passuum duum alterius aquae proprias vires collegit et Tepulae rivum intercepit. Adquisitae aquae ab inventore nomen Iuliae datum est, ita tamen divisa erogatione, ut maneret Tepulae appellatio. Ductus Iuliae efficit longitudinem passuum quindecim milium quadringentorum viginti sex S.: opere supra terram passuum septem milium: ex eo in proximis urbem locis a septimo miliario substructione passuum quingentorum viginti octo, reliquo opere arcuato passuum sex milium quadringentorum septuaginta duum.
9. Afterwards, Agrippa, aedile after his first consulship, with the emperor Caesar Augustus, L. Volcatio being consul, in the year after the city was founded 719, at the twelfth mile-stone from the city on the Via Latina, at the turnoff for those going from Rome to the right two thousand paces, gathered the proper forces of another water and intercepted the rivulet of the Tepula. The acquired water was given by its discoverer the name Julia, yet so divided in its discharge that the appellation Tepula remained. The duct of the Julia makes a length of 15,426 paces: of the work above ground 7,000 paces; from that, in the nearest parts of the city, from the seventh mile an embankment of 528 paces, the remainder by arched work 6,472 paces.
Beyond the head of the Julia flows a water called Crabra. Agrippa omitted this, whether because he had condemned it, or because he believed it should be left to the Tusculan possessors; for it is that which all the villas of that tract receive in turn in daily and measured portions. But the aquarii did not, with the same moderation, always claim part of it as a supplement to the Julia, nor to augment the Julia which they drew, but rather by dispensing it for the sake of their own advantage.
Therefore I shut off the Crabra and, by the emperor’s command, restored the whole thing to the Tusculans, who now, perhaps not without admiration, receive it ignorant to whom the cause of its unusual abundance should be ascribed. Iulia, however, the diversions by which it had been filched being recalled, preserved its measure despite notable drought. In the same year Agrippa restored the Appia, the Anio, and the Marcia, which had nearly fallen into ruin, and with singular care furnished the city with several gushing springs.
10. Idem cum iam tertio consul fuisset,
C. Sentio Q. Lucretio consulibus, post annum tertium decimum quam Iuliam
deduxerat, Virginem quoque in agro Lucullano collectam Romam perduxit. Dies quo primum in urbe responderit, quintus idus Iunias invenitur. Virgo
appellata est, quod
quaerentibus
aquam militibus puella virguncula venas quasdam monstravit, quas secuti
qui foderant, ingentem aquae modum invenerunt.
10. The same man, when he had now been consul for the third time, in the consulship of C. Sentius and Q. Lucretius, after the thirteenth year since he had led away Julia, also brought a Virgin, gathered in the ager Lucullanus, into Rome. The day on which she first answered in the city is found to be the fifth day before the Ides of June (June 9). She was called the Virgin becausewhen soldiers were seeking water the little maid showed certain veins, which those who followed and dug up found to yield a vast quantity of water.
A small shrine placed by the spring
this origin the painting shows. The Virgin is believed to have been conceived on the Via Collatina at the eighth milestone in marshy places, a signino surround being laid about for the purpose of containing the scaturigines. It is also corroborated by several other adquisitions.
11. Quae ratio moverit Augustum, providentissimum principem, perducendi Alsietinam aquam, quae vocatur Augusta, non satis perspicio, nullius gratiae, immo etiam parum salubrem ideoque nusquam in usus populi fluentem; nisi forte cum opus Naumachiae adgrederetur, ne quid salubrioribus aquis detraheret, hanc proprio opere perduxit et quod Naumachiae coeperat superesse, hortis adiacentibus et privatorum usibus ad inrigandum concessit. Solet tamen ex ea in Transtiberina regione, quotiens pontes reficiuntur et a citeriore ripa aquae cessant, ex necessitate in subsidium publicorum salientium dari. Concipitur ex lacu Alsietino Via Claudia miliario quarto decimo deverticulo dextrorsus passuum sex milium quingentorum.
11. Why Augustus, the most provident prince, was moved to lead the Alsietine water, which is called Augusta, I do not clearly perceive: of no favour, indeed even rather unwholesome and therefore flowing nowhere for the uses of the people; unless perhaps, when the work of the Naumachia was undertaken, so that it would not divert any healthier waters, he conveyed this by his own work and what remained from what the Naumachia had begun he granted for irrigating the adjoining gardens and for private uses. Yet it is usual that from it in the Transtiberine region, whenever the bridges are repaired and waters fail from the nearer bank, from necessity it is given in aid to the public fountains that arise. The Via Claudia is conceived as starting from the Alsietine lake at the fourteenth mile‑marker, by a turning to the right, six thousand five hundred paces.
12. Idem Augustus in supplementum Marciae, quotiens siccitates egerent auxilio, aliam aquam eiusdem bonitatis opere subterraneo perduxit usque ad Marciae rivum, quae ab inventore appellatur Augusta. Nascitur ultra fontem Marciae. Cuius ductus donec Marciae accedat, efficit passus octingentos.
12. The same Augustus, as a supplement to the Marcia when droughts required assistance, led another water of the same goodness by an underground work as far as the stream of the Marcia, which is called Augusta from its discoverer. It is born beyond the spring of the Marcia. The length of whose conduit, until it joins the Marcia, amounts to 800 paces.
13. Post hos C. Caesar, qui Tiberio successit, cum parum et publicis usibus et privatis voluptatibus septem ductus aquarum sufficere viderentur, altero imperii sui anno, M. Aquila Iuliano P. Nonio Asprenate cos., anno urbis conditae septingentesimo nonagesimo uno duos ductus incohavit. Quod opus Claudius magnificentissime consummavit dedicavitque Sulla et Titiano consulibus, anno post urbem conditam octingentesimo tertio Kalendis Augustis. Alteri nomen, quae ex fontibus Caerulo et Curtio perducebatur, Claudiae datum.
13. Afterwards C. Caesar, who succeeded Tiberius, when the seven conduits of water seemed too few both for public uses and for private pleasures, in the 2nd year of his reign, M. Aquila Julianus and P. Nonius Asprenatus being consuls, in the year from the founding of the city 791 began two conduits. This work Claudius consummated most magnificently and dedicated it in the consulship of Sulla and Titianus, in the year from the founding of the city 803, on the Kalends of August. The other was given the name Claudia; it was carried from the springs Caerulus and Curtius.
14. Claudia concipitur Via Sublacensi ad miliarium tricesimum octavum deverticulo sinistrorsus intra passus trecentos ex fontibus duobus amplissimis et speciosis, Caeruleo qui a similitudine appellatus est, et Curtio. Accipit et eum fontem qui vocatur Albudinus, tantae bonitatis, ut Marciae quoque adiutorio quotiens opus est ita sufficiat, ut adiectione sui nihil ex qualitate eius mutet. Augustae fons, quia Marciam sibi sufficere apparebat, in Claudiam derivatus est, manente nihilo minus praesidiario in Marciam, ut ita demum Claudiam aquam adiuvaret Augusta, si eam ductus Marciae non caperet.
14. The Claudia is taken in on the Via Sublacensis at the 38th mile‑marker by a side‑turn to the left within three hundred paces from two very abundant and handsome springs, the Caeruleus, so called from its likeness, and the Curtius. It also receives that spring called Albudinus, of such goodness that, with the aid of the Marcia whenever need requires, it so suffices that by the addition of itself it changes nothing of her quality. The spring of Augusta, because the Marcia seemed sufficient for it, was diverted into the Claudia, a praesidial supply nonetheless remaining in the Marcia, so that thus finally Augusta might assist the Claudia if the Marcia’s conduit did not take it.
Claudia's duct has a length of 46,406 paces: of it by a subterranean stream 36,230 paces, by a work above ground 10,176 paces: from that arched work in the upper part in several places 3,076 paces, and near the city from the seventh mile by a substruction of channels for 609 paces, by an arched work 6,491 paces.
15. Anio Novus Via Sublacensi ad miliarium quadragesimum secundum in Simbruino excipitur ex flumine, quod cum terras cultas circa se habeat soli pinguis et inde ripas solutiores, etiam sine pluviarum iniuria limosum et turbulentum fluit. Ideoque a faucibus ductus interposita est piscina limaria, ubi inter amnem et specum consisteret et liquaretur aqua. Sic quoque quotiens imbres superveniunt, turbida pervenit in urbem.
15. The Anio Novus, taken from the river at mile 42 on the Sublacensian Way in Simbruino, is so that, since it has cultivated lands about it and the soil is fertile and thence the banks more loosened, even without the harm of rains it flows muddy and turbulent. Therefore, led from its mouths a limy settling-pool (piscina limaria) was interposed, where between the stream and the specus the water might stand and be clarified. Thus also, whenever storms come upon it, it arrives at the city turbid.
To it is joined the Herculanean eastern rivulet by the same road at mile 38 from the region of the springs of Claudia, across the river and the road. Its nature is most pure, but when mixed it loses the grace of its splendor. The conduit of the Anio Novus amounts to 58,700 passus: from it by an underground channel 49,300 passus, by work above ground 9,400 passus: from it by substructions or by arched work in the upper part in several places 2,300 passus, and nearer the city, from the seventh mile by substruction of rivulets 609 passus, by arched work 6,491 passus.
16. Tot aquarum tam multis necessariis molibus pyramidas videlicet otiosas compares aut cetera inertia sed fama celebrata opera Graecorum.
16. You compare so many waters, with so many necessary masses, to pyramids — namely idle structures — or to other inertia; but they are works of the Greeks celebrated by fame.
17. Non alienum mihi visum est, longitudines quoque rivorum cuiusque ductus etiam per species operum complecti. Nam cum maxima huius officii pars in tutela eorum sit, scire praepositum oportet, quae maiora impendia exigant. Nostrae quidem sollicitudini non suffecit, singula oculis subiecisse; formas quoque ductuum facere curavimus, ex quibus apparet ubi valles quantaeque, ubi flumina traicerentur, ubi montium lateribus specus applicitae maiorem adsiduamque tuendi ac muniendi rivi exigant curam.
17. It did not seem foreign to me also to embrace, even through the appearance of works, the lengths of each stream’s course. For since the greatest part of this duty is in the guardianship of them, the overseer ought to know what greater expenditures they demand. To our solicitude indeed it is not sufficient to have set particulars before our eyes; we took care also to make the forms of the conduits, from which it appears where valleys and of what size, where rivers would be crossed, where, applied to the flanks of mountains, subterranean passages require greater and continual care of guarding and fortifying the channels.
18. Omnes aquae diversa in urbem libra perveniunt. Inde fluunt quaedam altioribus locis et quaedam erigi in eminentiora non possunt; nam et colles sensim propter frequentiam incendiorum excreverunt rudere. Quinque sunt quarum altitudo in omnem partem urbis adtollitur, sed ex his aliae maiore, aliae leviore pressura coguntur.
18. All the waters come into the city by diverse courses. From there some flow down to lower places and some cannot be raised up to the more eminent heights; for the hills have grown up little by little from the frequent ruin of fires. There are five whose summit is lifted toward every part of the city, yet of these some are driven by greater, others by lighter pressure.
The highest is the Anio Novus, next the Claudia, third in place the Iulia, fourth the Tepula, then the Marcia, which even at its head equals the Claudia by a pound. But the ancients led them with a lower alignment, whether because the art of balancing had not yet been explored to subtlety, or because on purpose they plunged the waters beneath the earth so that they would not be easily intercepted by enemies, since warfare was still frequently carried on against the Italians. Yet now in some places, wherever the conduit has fallen into ruin by age, the underground circuit being omitted, they are carried across the valleys for the sake of brevity by substructions and arches.
The sixth place among the waters is held by the Anio Vetus, likewise destined to supply also the higher parts of the city, if, where the condition of the valleys and low-lying regions demands it, it were raised by substructions and archings. Next follows the supply of Virgo, then the Appia; which, since they were led through the urban field, could not be raised to so great a height. Lowest of all is the Alsietina, which serves the Trans-Tiberine region and the places lying farthest away.
19. Ex eis sex Via Latina intra septimum miliarum contectis piscinis excipiuntur, ubi quasi respirante rivorum cursu limum deponunt. Modus quoque earum mensuris ibidem positis initur. Tres autem earum, Iulia, Marcia, Tepula quae intercepta, sicut supra demonstravimus, rivo Iuliae accesserat, nunc a piscina eiusdem Iuliae modum accipit ac proprio canali et nomine venit ( hae tres a piscinis in eosdem arcus recipiuntur.
19. Of these six, the Via Latina within seven miles are received into covered piscinae, where, as if the course of the streams were breathing, they deposit their silt. Their modus is likewise begun there with mensurae placed on the spot. Three of them, however — Iulia, Marcia, Tepula, which, intercepted, as we showed above, had joined the rivus Iuliae — now take a modus from the piscina of that same Iulia and come by their own canal and name (these three are received from the piscinae into the same arches.
Previously, however, the portion of the Julia, having been diverted to Spem Veterem, is distributed to the castles of the Caelian Hill. Marcia, however, casts part of itself, behind the Pallantian gardens, into the stream called Herculaneus. This, led through the Caelian, supplying nothing for the uses of that very mount as it descends below, terminates above the Porta Capena.
20. Anio Novus et Claudia a piscinis in altiores arcus recipiuntur ita ut superior sit Anio. Finiuntur arcus earum post hortos Pallantianos et inde in usum urbis fistulis diducuntur. Partem tamen sui Claudia prius in arcus qui vocantur Neroniani ad Spem Veterem transfert.
20. The Anio Novus and the Claudia are received from the pools into the higher arches so that the upper one is the Anio. Their arches terminate beyond the Pallantian gardens and thence are distributed by pipes for the use of the city. Yet Claudia first diverts part of herself into the arches called the Neroniani toward the Spes Vetus (Old Hope).
21. Anio Vetus citra quartum miliarium infra Novum, qui a Via Latina in Labicanam inter arcus traicit, et ipse piscinam habet. Inde intra secundum miliarium partem dat in specum qui vocatur Octavianus et pervenit in regionem Viae Novae ad hortos Asinianos, unde per illum tractum distribuitur. Rectus vero ductus secundum Spem veniens intra Portam Esquilinam in altos rivos per urbem diducitur.
21. Anio Vetus, below the fourth mile, lies beneath the Novus, which crosses from the Via Latina into the Labicana among the arches, and it itself has a piscina. Thence, within the part of the second mile, it discharges into a specum (covered conduit) called Octavianus and reaches the region of the Via Nova by the Asinian gardens, whence it is distributed through that tract. The straight duct, however, coming by the Spem, is led within the Esquiline Gate into high rills and is conveyed through the city.
22. Nec Virgo nec Appia nec Alsietina conceptacula, id est piscinas, habent. Arcus Virginis initium habent sub hortis Lucullanis, finiuntur in Campo Martio secundum frontem Saeptorum. Rivus Appiae sub Caelio monte et Aventino actus emergit, ut diximus, infra Clivum Publicii.
22. Neither the Virgo nor the Appian nor the Alsietina have conceptacula, that is, piscinas. The Arches of the Virgin take their beginning beneath the Lucullan gardens; they end in the Campus Martius along the front of the Saepta. The stream of the Appian, driven under the Caelian hill and the Aventine, emerges, as we have said, below the Clivus Publicius.
23. Quoniam auctores cuiusque aquae et aetates, praeterea origines et longitudines rivorum et ordinem librae persecutus sum, non alienum mihi videtur, etiam singula subicere et ostendere quanta sit copia quae publicis privatisque non solum usibus et auxiliis verum etiam voluptatibus sufficit, et per quot castella quibusque regionibus diducatur, quantum extra urbem, quantum in urbe, et ex eo quantum lacibus, quantum muneribus, quantum operibus publicis, quantum nomine Caesaris, quantum privatis usibus erogetur. Sed rationis existimo, priusquam nomina quinariarum centenariarumque et ceterorum modulorum, per quos mensura constituta est, proferamus, et indicare quae sit eorum origo, quae vires et quid quaeque appellatio significet, propositaque regula, ad quam ratio eorum et initium computatur, ostendere qua ratione discrepantia invenerim et quam emendandi viam sim secutus.
23. Since I have followed the authorities of each aqueduct and their ages, moreover their sources and the lengths of the channels and the order of the libra, it does not seem foreign to me to set forth also particulars and to show how great is the supply which suffices for public and private uses and aids, indeed even for pleasures, and by how many forts and into which regions it is distributed, how much outside the city, how much within the city, and from that how much to lakes, how much to gifts, how much to public works, how much in the name of Caesar, how much is disbursed for private uses. But I judge it reasonable, before we bring forward the names of the quinariae, centenariae and the other measures by which the mensura was established, and indicate what is their origin, what strengths and what each appellation signifies, and having set forth the rule by which their ratio and beginning is computed, to show by what method I found discrepancies and what course I followed to correct them.
24. Aquarum moduli aut ad digitorum aut aut unicarum mensuram instituti sunt. Digiti in Campania et in plerisque Italiae locis, unciae in pApula cita hunc observatur. Est autem digitus, ut convenit, sextadecima pars pedis, uncia duodecima.
24. The modules of waters are established either by the measure of digits or of unciae. Digits are used in Campania and in most places of Italy; unciae are observed in Apulia on this side. The digit is, as is agreed, the sixteenth part of the foot; the uncia the twelfth.
Just as there is a diversity between the uncia and the digit, so too the digit itself is not a simple measure. One is called quadratus, another rotundus. The quadratus is greater than the rotundus by three fourteenths of itself, the rotundus is less than the quadratus by three elevenths of itself, namely because the corners are cut away.
25. Postea modulus nec ab uncia nec ab alterutro digitorum originem accipiens inductus, ut quidam putant, ab Agrippa, ut alii, a plumbariis per Vitruvium architectum in usum urbis exclusis prioribus venit, appellatus quinariae nomine. Qui autem Agrippam auctorem faciunt, dicunt, quod quinque antiqui moduli exiles et velut puncta, quibus olim aqua cum exigua esset dividebatur, in unam fistulam coacti sint; qui Vitruvium et plumbarios, ab eo quod plumbea lammina plana quinque digitorum latitudinem habens circumacta in rotundum hunc fistulae modulum efficiat. Sed hoc incertum est, quoniam cum circumagitur, sicut interiore parte adtrahitur, ita per illam, quae foras spectat, extenditur.
25. Afterwards the modulus, taking its origin neither from the uncia nor from either of the digits, being introduced, as some think, by Agrippa, and, as others say, by the plumbers through Vitruvius the architect for the use of the city, coming in to replace the former ones, was called by the name quinaria. But those who make Agrippa the originator say that five ancient moduli, thin and like points, with which formerly water was divided when it was scanty, were forced into one pipe; and that Vitruvius and the plumbers, from the fact that a flat lead plate having the breadth of five digits when bent round produces this pipe‑modulus, made it. Yet this is uncertain, since when it is bent round, as the inner part is drawn in, so by that which faces outward it is stretched.
Most probable is that the thing called the quinaria derives from a diameter of five quadrants, a ratio which continues likewise in the following moduli up to the vicenary, the diameter increasing by the addition of single quadrants for each: as in the senaria, which has six quadrants in the diameter, and the septenaria, which has seven, and thenceforth by a similar increment up to the vicenary.
26. Omnis autem modulus colligitur aut diametro aut perimetro aut areae mensura, ex quibus et capacitas apparet. Differentiam unciae, digiti quadrati et digiti rotundi, et ipsius quinariae ut facilius dinoscamus, utendum est substantia quinariae, qui modulus et certissimus et maxime receptus est. Unciae ergo modulus habet diametri digitum unum et trientem digiti; capit plus, quam quinaria, quinariae octava, hoc est sescuncia quinariae et scripulis tribus et besse scripuli.
26. Every modulus, however, is gathered either by diameter or by perimeter or by the measure of the area, from which the capacity also appears. To perceive more easily the difference of the uncia, of the square digit and of the round digit, and of the quinaria itself, one must make use of the substantia of the quinaria, which modulus is both most certain and most received. Therefore the modulus of the uncia has a diameter of one digit and a third of a digit; it contains more than the quinaria by an eighth of the quinaria, that is, a sescuncia of the quinaria and three scripuli and half a scripulum.
27. Ceterum moduli, qui a quinaria oriuntur, duobus generibus incrementum accipiunt. Est unum, cum ipsa multiplicatur, id est eodem lumine plures quinariae includuntur, in quibus secundum adiectionem quinariarum amplitudo luminis crescit. Est autem fere tum in usu, cum plures quinariae impetratae, ne rivus saepius convulneretur, una fistula excipiuntur in castellum, ex quo singuli suum modum recipiunt.
27. Moreover the moduli which spring from the quinaria receive increment in two kinds. One is when it is multiplied itself, that is, in the same lumen several quinariae are included, in which, according to the adiection of quinariae, the amplitude of the lumen increases. The other is almost then in use: when several quinariae have been obtained, so that the rivulet is not wounded too often, they are taken into one fistula into a castellum, from which each receives its own modulus.
28. Alterum genus est, quotiens non ad quinariarum necessitatem fistula incrementum capit, sed ad diametri sui mensuram, secundum quod et nomen accipit et capacitatem ampliat: ut puta quinaria, cum adiectus est ei ad diametrum quadrans, senariam facit. Nec iam in solidum capacitatem ampliat; capit enim quinariam unam et quincuncem sicilicum. Et deinceps eadem ratione quadrantibus diametro adiectis, ut supra dictum est, crescunt septenaria, octonaria usque ad vicenariam.
28. The other kind is, whenever the tube does not take growth according to the necessity of quinariae, but according to the measure of its own diameter, whereby it also takes its name and enlarges its capacity: for example a quinaria, when a quadrant is added to its diameter, makes a sextaria. Nor does it now increase its capacity in the solid; for it holds one quinaria and a Sicilian quincunx. And thereafter by the same rule, with quadrants added to the diameter as said above, septenaria, octonaria up to vicenaria grow.
29. Subsequitur illa ratio, quae constat ex numero digitorum quadratorum, qui area, id est lumine, cuiusque moduli continentur, a quibus et nomen fistulae accipiunt. Nam quae habet areae, id est luminis in rotundum coacti, digitos quadratos viginti quinque, vicenum quinum appellatur: similiter tricenaria et deinceps pari incremento quinorum digitorum quadratorum usque ad centenum vicenum.
29. The following rule succeeds, which consists of the number of square digits that the area, that is the lumen, of each modulus contains, from which they likewise receive the name of the fistula. For that which has twenty‑five square digits of area, that is of lumen when gathered into the round, is called vicenum quinum; likewise tricenaria and thereafter by equal increments of five square digits up to centenum vicenum.
30. In vicenaria fistula, quae in confinio utriusque rationis posita est, utraque ratio paene congruit. Nam habet secundum eam computationem, quae in antecedentibus modulis servanda est, in diametro quadrantes viginti, cum diametri eiusdem digiti quinque sint; et secundum eorum modulorum rationem, qui sequuntur, aream habet digitorum quadratorum exiguo minus viginti.
30. In the vicenary fistula, which is placed on the boundary of each ratio, both ratios almost coincide. For it has, according to that computation which is to be observed in the preceding modules, twenty quadrants in the diameter, since the digits of that same diameter are five; and according to the proportion of those modules which follow, it has an area of square digits a little less than twenty.
31. Ratio fistularum quinariarum usque ad centenum vicenum per omnes modulos ita se habet, ut ostendimus, et omni genere inita constat sibi. Convenit et cum is modulis, qui in commentariis invictissimi et piissimi principis positi et confirmati sunt. Sive itaque ratio sive auctoritas sequenda est, utroque commentariorum moduli praevalent.
31. The system of the quinary pipes up to one hundred and twenty, through all modules, stands as we have shown, and in every kind it holds true of itself when begun. It also agrees with those modules which are placed and confirmed in the commentaries of the most unconquered and most pious prince. Therefore, whether the calculation or the authority is to be followed, in either case the modules of the commentaries prevail.
32. Et duodenariae quidem nec magnus error nec usus frequens est. Cuius diametro adiecerunt digiti semunciam sicilicum, capacitati quinariae quadrantem. In reliquis autem tribus modulis plus deprenditur.
32. And of the duodenaries indeed neither a great error nor frequent use is found. To whose diameter they added a Sicilian semuncia of a digit, a quarter of the capacity of the quinaria. In the remaining three modules more is discovered.
They make the smaller vicenary with a diameter of half a digit and a semuncia, and with a capacity of three quinariae and a quarter and a semuncia, by which measure it is most often dispensed. But the centenaria and the centenum vicenum, which they continually receive, are not diminished but increased. For to the diameter of the centenaria they add a besse of a digit and a semuncia, and to the capacity ten and a half quinariae and a half semuncia.
33. Ita dum aut vicenariae, qua subinde erogant, detrahunt aut centenariae et centenum vicenum adiciunt, quibus semper accipiunt, intercipiuntur in centenaria quinariae viginti septem, in centenum vicenum quinariae octoginta sex. Quod cum ratione approbetur, re quoque ipsa manifestum est. Nam et vicenaria, quam Caesar pro quinariis sedecim assignat, non plus erogant quam tredecim, et ex centenaria, quam ampliaverunt eque centenum vicenum certum est illos non erogare nisi ad artiorem numerum, quia Caesar secundum suos commentarios, cum ex quaque centenaria explevit quinarias octoginta unam semissem, item ex centenum vicenum quinarias nonaginta octo, tamquam exhausto modulo desinit distribuere.
33. Thus, while either the vicenariae, by which they repeatedly pay out, subtract, or the centenariae and the centenum vicenum add — those with which they always receive — there are intercepted in a centenaria twenty-seven quinariae, in a centenum vicenum eighty-six quinariae. When this is approved by calculation, it is manifest also from the thing itself. For even the vicenaria which Caesar assigns as 16 for quinariae do not pay out more than 13, and from the centenaria which they enlarged and the centenum vicenum it is certain that they do not pay out except to the nearer (higher) number; because Caesar, according to his commentarios, when from each centenaria he completed 81.5 quinariae, and likewise from the centenum vicenum 98 quinariae, as if the modulo were exhausted, ceases to distribute.
34. In summa moduli sunt XX quinque. Omnes consentiunt et rationi et commenatriis, exceptis his quattuor, quos aquarii novaverunt. Omnia autem quae mensura continentur, certa et immobilia congruere sibi debent; ita enim universitati ratio constabit.
34. In sum the moduli are 25. All concur both with the ratio and with the commentaries, save those four which the aquarii have altered. Moreover all things which the mensura contains must accord with one another, fixed and immovable; for thus the ratio of the whole will stand firm.
And just as, for example, the ratio of sextarii to cyathi, and of modii to sextarii and to cyathi corresponds; so also the multiplication of quinariarum in the larger moduli ought to keep the rule of its consequence. Otherwise, when in the erogatory modulus less is found and in the acceptory more, it appears not an error but a fraud.
35. Meminerimus omnem aquam, quotiens ex altiore loco venit et intra breve spatium in castellum cadit, non tantum respondere modulo suo sed etiam exuberare; quotiens vero ex humiliore, id est minore pressura, longius ducitur, segnitia ductus modum quoque deperdere; et ideo secundum hanc rationem aut onerandam esse erogatione aut relevandam.
35. Let us remember that all water, whenever it comes from a higher place and within a short space falls into the castellum, not only corresponds to its modulo but even overflows; whenever, however, it is drawn from a lower, that is, lesser pressure, and is carried farther, the sluggishness of conveyance also loses the measure of the modulus; and therefore according to this reason it must either be burdened by erogation or be relieved.
36. Sed et calicis positio habet momentum. In rectum et ad libram conlocatus modum servat, ad cursum aquae oppositus et devexus amplius rapit, ad latus praetereuntis aquae conversus et supinus, id est ad haustum pronior, segniter et exiguum sumit. Est autem calix modulus aeneus, qui rivo vel castello induitur; huic fistulae applicantur.
36. But the position of the cup also has weight. Set upright and level it preserves the measure; set facing the course of the water and sloping, it takes more; turned toward the side of the passing water and supine, that is more prone for the draught, it draws sluggishly and scantily. The cup, moreover, is a bronze modulus which is thrust into the stream or into the castellum; to this the pipes are applied.
37. Formulas modulorum qui sunt omnes viginti et quinque subieci, quamvis in usu quindecim tantum frequentes sint, derectas ad rationem de qua locuti sumus, emendatis quattuor, quos aquarii novaverant. Secundum quod et fistulae omnes, quae opus facient, derigi debent aut, si haec fistulae manebunt, ad quinarias quot capient computari. Qui non sint in usu moduli, in ipsis est adnotatum.
37. I have set forth the formulas of the modules, which are in all twenty‑five, although in use only fifteen are frequent, adjusted to the straight method of which we have spoken, four of them corrected that the aquarii had innovated. According to this, all the pipes (fistulae) that will do the work must be directed, or, if those pipes remain, be reckoned by how many quinariae they will contain. Those modules not in use are noted in the modules themselves.
38. Uncia habet diametri digitum unum et trientem digiti; capit plus quam quinaria, quinariae sescuncia et scripulis tribus et besse scripuli. Digitus quadratus in latitudine et longitudine aequalis est. Digitus quadratus in rotundum redactus habet diametri digitum unum et digiti sescunciam sextulam, capit quinariae dextantem.
38. The uncia has a diameter of one digit and a third of a digit; it contains more than a quinaria — a quinaria’s sescuncia and three scripula and half a scripulum. The square digit is equal in breadth and in length. The square digit, reduced to a round form, has a diameter of one digit and a sescuncia‑sextula of a digit, and contains a quinaria’s dextans.
39. Fistula quinaria: diametri digitum unum =Ò , perimetri digitos tres S = = Ò ' III, capit quinariam unam.
39. A quinaria pipe: one digit of the diameter =Ò , three digits of the perimeter S = = Ò 'III, it holds one quinaria.
41. Fistula septenaria: diametri digitum I S =Ò , perimetri digitos V S, capit quinariam I S = = Ò £ ; in usu non est.
41. Seven-note pipe: diameter
digit 1½ S = Ò , perimeter digits 5½ S, it takes the quinary 1½ S = = Ò £ ; it is not in use.
42. Fistula octonaria: diametri digitos duos, perimetri digitos sex =Ò ' X, capit quinarias II S £ ' quinque.
42. Octonary fistula: diameter two digits, perimeter six digits =Ò 'X, it holds quinarias II S £ ' five.
43. Fistula denaria: diametri digitos duos et semis, perimetri digitos septem S = =' VII, capit quinarias IIII.
43. Fistula denaria: diameter in digits two and a half, perimeter in digits seven S = ='VII, holds quinarias 4.
44. Fistula duodenaria: diametri digitos III, perimetri digitos VIIII = =Ò ' III, capit quinarias quinque S = Ò ' III; in usu non est. Apud aquarios habebat diametri digitos III £ ' VI, capacitatis quinarias sex.
44. Fistula duodenaria: diametri digitos 3, perimetri digitos 9 = =Ò ' 3, capit quinarias quinque S = Ò ' 3; in usu non est. Apud aquarios habebat diametri digitos 3 £ ' 6, capacitatis quinarias sex.
45. Fistula quinum denum: diametri digitos III S =Ò , perimetri digitos XI S = Ò ' X, capit quinarias novem.
45. Fistula of five denarii: diameter digits 3 S =Ò , perimeter digits 11 S = Ò 'X, holds nine quinarias.
46. Fistula vicenaria: diametri digitos quinque, perimetri digitos XV S = =' VI, capit quinarias sedecim. Apud aquarios habebat diametri digitos IIII S, capacitatis quinarias duodecim S = = Ò £.
46. Fistula vicenaria: diametri digitos 5, perimetri digitos 15 S = =' 6, capit quinarias 16. Apud aquarios habebat diametri digitos 4 S, capacitatis quinarias 12 S = = Ò £.
47. Fistula vicenum quinum: diametri digitos quinque S ·Ò £ ' V, perimetri digitos decem et septem S = £ ' VII, capit quinarias XX = = ' VIIII; in usu non est.
47. The twenty-fifth pipe: diameter
five digits S · Ò £ ' V,
perimeter seventeen digits S = £ 'VII,
holds quinarias XX = = ' VIIII; not in use.
48. Fistula tricenaria: diametri digitos sex =' III, perimetri digitos decem et novem = = Ò , capit quinarias viginti quattuor = = Ò ' quinque.
48. Tricenary pipe: diameter six digits =' III, perimeter nineteen digits = = Ò , holds quinarias twenty-four = = Ò ' five.
49. Fistula tricenum quinum: diametri digitos sex S =' II, perimetri digitos XX S = = Ò £ V, capit quinarias XXVIII S ' III; in usu non est.
49. Fistula thirty-five: diametri digitos six S =' II, perimetri digitos 20 S = = Ò £ V, capit quinarias 28 S ' III; in usu non est.
50. Fistula quadragenaria: diametri digitos septemÒ £ ' III, perimetri digitos XXII = = Ò , capit quinarias XXXII S Ò .
50. Fistula quadragenaria: diametri digitos 7Ò £ ' 3, perimetri digitos 22 = = Ò , capit quinarias 32 S Ò.
51. Fistula quadragenum quinum: diametri digitos septem S £' octo, perimetri digitos XXIII S = Ò ' X, capit quinarias XXXVI S = £ ' octo; in usu non est.
51. Fistula forty-five: diametri digitos seven S £' eight, perimetri digitos 23 S = Ò '10, capit quinarias 36 S = £ ' eight; in usu non est.
53. Fistula quinquagenum quinum: diametri digitos octo = =' decem, perimetri digitos XXVI = Ò £ , capit quinarias XLIIII S = Ò £ ' II; in usu non est.
53. Pipe fifty‑five:
diameter, eight digits = = ' ten,
perimeter, 26 digits = Ò £ , holds quinarias 44
S = Ò £ ' 2; not in use.
55. Fistula sexagenum quinum: diametri digitos novemÒ ' III, perimetri digitos XX octo S Ò, capit quinarias quinquaginta duas S = = £ ' octo; in usu non est.
55. Fistula sixty-five: of diameter nine digitsÒ ' 3, of perimeter twenty-eight digits S Ò, holds quinaries fifty-two S = = £ ' eight; in usu non est.
57. Fistula septuagenum quinum: diametri digitos novem S =Ò ' sex, perimetri digitos XXX S = ' VIII, capit quinarias LXI Ò ' II; in usu non est.
57. Fistula seventy-five: diametri digitos 9 S =Ò ' 6, perimetri digitos 30 S = ' 8, capit quinarias 61 Ò ' 2; in usu non est.
58. Fistula octogenaria: diametri digitos decemÒ ' II, perimetri digitos XXXI S = £ , capit quinarias LXV =.
58. Fistula octogenaria: diametri digitos tenÒ ' 2, perimetri digitos 31 S = £ , capit quinarias 65 =.
59. Fistula octogenum quinum: diametri digitos decem = = £' septem, perimetri digitos XXXII S = ' IIII, capit quinarias LXVIIII = £ ; in usu non est.
59. Fistula octogenum quinum: diametri digitos decem = = £' septem, perimetri digitos 32 S = ' IIII, capit quinarias 69 = £ ; in usu non est.
61. Fistula nonagenum quinum: diametri digitos X S = =Ò £ ' VIIII, perimetri digitos XXXIIII S £, capit quinarias LXXVII = = £ ' II; in usu non est.
61. Fistula ninety-five: diameter digits 10 S = =Ò £ ' 9, perimetre (perimeter) digits 34 S £, holds quinarias 77 = = £ ' 2; is not in use.
63. Fistula centenum vicenum: diametri digitos duodecim = =' VII, perimetri digitos XXXVIII S = = , capit quinarias LXXXXVII S = Ò . Apud aquarios habebat diametri digitos XVI, capacitatis quinarias centum sexaginta tres S = = Ò , qui modus duarum centenariarum est.
63. Pipe one hundred and twenty: diameter
digits 12 = = ' VII, perimeter
digits 38 S = = , holds quinarias 97 S = Ò .
Among watermen it had diameter digits 16, capacity quinarias 163 S = = Ò , which is the mode of two centenaries.