Complete Works of Frontinus

by Frontinus

  [117] Both gangs are divided into several classes of workmen: overseers, reservoir-keepers, inspectors, pavers, plasterers, and other workmen; of these, some must be outside the city for purposes which do not seem to require any great amount of work, but yet demand prompt attention; the men inside the city at their stations at the reservoirs and fountains will devote their energies to the several works, especially in case of sudden emergencies, in order that a plentiful reserve supply of water may be turned from several wards of the city to one afflicted by an emergency. Both of these large gangs, which regularly were diverted by exercise of favouritism, or by negligence of their foremen, to employment on private work, I resolved to bring back to some discipline and to the service of the State, by writing down the day before what each gang was going to do, and by putting in the records what it had done each day.

  [118] Commoda publicae familiae ex aerario dantur, quod impendium exoneratur vectigalium reditu ad ius aquarum pertinentium. Ea constant ex locis aedificiisve quae sunt circa ductus et castella aut munera aut lacus. Quem reditum prope sestertiorum ducentorum quinquaginta milium alienatum ac vagum, proximis vero temporibus in Domitiani loculos conversum iustitia Divi Nervae populo restituit, nostra sedulitas ad certam regulam redegit, ut constaret quae essent ad hoc vectigal pertinentia loca. Caesaris familia ex fisco accipit commoda, unde et omne plumbum et omnes impensae ad ductus et castella et lacus pertinentes erogantur.

  [118] The wages of the State gang are paid from the State treasury, an expense which is lightened by the receipt of rentals from water-rights, which are received from places or buildings situated near the conduits, reservoirs, public fountains, or water-basins. This income of nearly 250,000 sestertii formerly lost through loose management, was turned in recent times into the coffers of Domitian; but with a due sense of right the Deified Nerva restored it to the people. I took pains to bring it under fixed rules, in order that it might be clear what were the places which fell under this tax. The gang of Caesar gets its wages from the emperor’s privy purse, from which are also drawn all expenses for lead and for conduits, reservoirs, and basins.

  [119] Quoniam quae videbantur ad familiam pertinere exposuimus, ad tutelam ductuum sicut promiseram divertemus, rem enixiore cura dignam, cum magnitudinis Romani imperii vel praecipuum sit indicium. Multa atque ampla opera subinde dilabuntur, quibus ante succurri debet quam magno auxilio egere incipiant, plerumque tamen prudenti temperamento sustinenda, quia non semper opus aut facere aut ampliare quaerentibus credendum est. Ideoque non solum scientia peritorum sed et proprio usu curator instructus esse debet, nec suae tantum stationis architectis uti, sed plurium advocare non minus fidem quam subtilitatem, ut aestimet quae repraesentanda, quae differenda sint, et rursus quae per redemptores effici debeant, quae per domesticos artifices.

  [119] As I have now explained all, I think, that has to do with slave-gangs, I will now, as I promised, come back to the maintenance of the conduits, a thing which is worthy of more special care, as it gives the best testimony to the greatness of the Roman Empire. The numerous and extensive works are continually falling into decay, and they must be attended to before they begin to demand extensive repair. Very often, however, it is best to exercise a wise restraint in attending to their upkeep, since those who urge the construction or extension of the works cannot always be trusted. The water-commissioner, therefore, not only ought to be provided with competent advisers, but ought also to be equipped with practical experience of his own. He must consult not only the architects of his own office, but must also seek aid from the trustworthy and thorough knowledge of numerous other persons, in order to judge what must be taken in hand forthwith, and what postponed, and, again, what is to be carried out by public contractors and what by his own regular workmen.

  [120] Nascuntur opera ex his causis: aut impotentia possessorum quid corrumpitur aut vetustate aut vi tempestatium aut culpa male facti operis, quod saepius accidit in recentibus.

  [120] The necessity of repairs arises from the following reasons: damage is done either by the lawlessness of abutting proprietors, by age, violent storms, or by defects in the original construction, which has happened quite frequently in the case of recent works.

  [121] Fere aut vetustate aut vi tempestatium eae partes ductuum laborant quae arcuationibus sustinentur aut montium lateribus applicatae sunt, et ex arcuationibus eae quae per flumen traiciuntur. Ideoque haec opera sollicita festinatione explicanda sunt. Minus iniuriae subiacent subterranea nec gelicidiis nec caloribus exposita. Vitia autem eiusmodi sunt, ut aut non interpellato cursu subveniatur eis, aut emendari nisi adverso non possint, sicut ea quae in ipso alveo fieri necesse est.

  [121] As a rule, those parts of the aqueducts which are carried on arches or are placed on side-hills and, of those on arches, the parts that cross rivers suffer most from the effects of age or of violent storms. These, therefore, must be put in order with care and despatch. The underground portions, not being subjected to either heat or frost, are less liable to injury. Defects are either of the sort that can be remedied without stopping the flow of the water, or such as cannot be made without diverting the flow, as, for example, those which have to be made in the channel itself.

  [122] Haec duplici ex causa nascuntur: aut enim limo concrescente, qui interdum in crustam indurescit, iter aquae coartatur, aut tectoria corrumpuntur, unde fiunt manationes quibus necesse est latera rivorum et substructiones vitiari. Pilae quoque ipsae tofo exstructae sub tam magno onere labuntur. Refici quae circa alveos rivorum sunt aestate non debent, ne intermittatur usus tempore quo praecipue desideratur, sed vere vel autumno et maxima cum festinatione, ut scilicet ante praeparatis omnibus quam paucissimis diebus rivi cessent. Neminem fugit, per singulos ductus hoc esse faciendum, ne si plures pariter avertantur, desit aqua civitati.

  [122] These latter become necessary from two causes: either the accumulation of deposit, which sometimes hardens into a crust, contracts the channel of the water; or else the concrete lining is damaged, causing leaks, whereby the sides of the conduits and the substructures are necessarily injured. Sometimes even the piers, which are built of tufa, give way under the great load. Repairs to the channel itself should not be made in the summer time, in order not to stop the flow of water at a time when the demand for it is the greatest, but should be made in the spring or autumn, and with the greatest speed possible, and of course with all preparations made in advance, in order that the conduits may be out of commission as few days as possible. As is obvious to every one, a single aqueduct must be taken at a time, for if several were cut off at once, the supply would prove inadequate for the City’s needs.

  [123] Ea quae non interpellato aquae cursu effici debent maxime structura constant, quam et suis temporibus et fidelem fieri oportet. Idoneum structurae tempus est a Kalendis Aprilibus in Kalendas Novembres ita ut optimum sit intermittere eam partem aestatis quae nimiis caloribus incandescit, quia temperamento caeli opus est, ut ex commodo structura combibat et in unitatem corroboretur; non minus autem sol acrior quam gelatio praecipit materiam. Nec ullum opus diligentiorem poscit curam quam quod aquae obstaturum est; fides itaque eius per singula secundum legem notam omnibus sed a paucis observatam exigenda est.

  [123] Repairs that should be executed without cutting off the water consist principally of masonry work, which should be constructed at the right time, and conscientiously. The suitable time for masonry work is from April 1 to November 1, but with this restriction, that the work would be best interrupted during the hottest part of the summer, because moderate weather is necessary for the masonry properly to absorb the mortar, and to solidify into one compact mass; for excessive heat of the sun is no less destructive than frost to masonry. Nor is greater care required upon any works than upon such as are to withstand the action of water; for this reason, in accordance with principles which all know but few observe, honesty in all details of the work must be insisted upon.

  [124] Illud nulli dubium esse crediderim, proximos ductus, id est qui a septimo miliario lapide quadrato
consistunt, maxime custodiendos, quoniam et amplissimi operis sunt et plures aquas singuli sustinent. Quos si necesse fuerit interrumpere, maiorem partem aquarum urbis destituent. Remedia tamen sunt et huius difficultatis: opus incohatum excitatur ad libram deficientis, alveus vero plumbatis canalibus per spatium interrupti ductus rursus continuatur. Porro quoniam fere omnes specus per privatorum agros derecti erant et difficilis videbatur futurae impensae praeparatio, nisi et aliqua iuris constitutione succurreretur, simul ne accessu ad reficiendos rivos redemptores a possessoribus prohiberentur, S. C. factum est quod subieci.

  [124] I think no one will doubt that the greatest care should be taken with the aqueducts nearest to the City (I mean those inside the seventh mile-stone, which consist of block-stone masonry), both because they are structure of the greatest magnitude, and because each one carries several conduits; for should it once be necessary to interrupt these, the City would be deprived of the greater part of its water-supply. But there are methods for meeting even these difficulties: provisional works are built up to the level of the conduit which is being put out of use, and a channel, formed of leaden troughs, running along the course of the portion that has been cut off, again provides a continuous passage. Furthermore, since almost all the aqueducts ran through the fields of private parties and it seemed difficult to provide for future outlays without the help of some constituted law; in order, also, that contractors should not be prevented by proprietors from access to the conduits for the purpose of making repairs, a resolution of the Senate was passed, which I give below:

  [125] “Quod Q. Aelius Tubero Paulus Fabius Maximus cos. V. F. de rivis, specibus, fornicibus, aquae Iuliae, Marciae, Appiae, Tepulae, Anienis reficiendis, Q. D. E. R. F. P. D. E. R. I. C. uti cum ei rivi, specus, fornices, quos Augustus Caesar se refecturum impensa sua pollicitus senatui est, reficerentur, ex agris privatorum terra, limus, lapides, testa, harena, ligna ceteraque quibus ad eam rem opus esset, unde quaeque eorum proxime sine iniuria privatorum tolli, sumi, portari possint, viri boni arbitratu aestimata darentur, tollerentur, sumerentur, exportarentur; et ad eas res omnes exportandas earumque rerum reficiendarum causa, quotiens opus esset, per agros privatorum sine iniuria eorum itinera, actus paterent, darentur.”

  [125] “The consuls, Quintus Aelius Tubero and Paulus Fabius Maximus, having made a report relating to the restoration of the canals, conduits, and arches of Julia, Marcia, Appia, Tepula, and Anio, and having inquired of the Senate what it would please to order upon the subject, it has been RESOLVED: That when those canals, conduits, and arches, which Augustus Caesar promised the Senate to repair at his own cost, shall be repaired, the earth, clay, stone, potsherds, sand, wood, etc., which are necessary for the work in hand, shall be granted, removed, taken, and brought from the lands of private parties, their value to be appraised by some honest man, and each of these to be taken from whatever source it may most conveniently and, without injury to them, remain open and their use be permitted, as often as it is necessary for the transportation of all these things for the purposes of repairing these works.”

  [126] Plerumque autem vitia oriuntur ex impotentia possessorum, qui pluribus rivos violant. Primum enim spatia, quae circa ductus aquarum ex S. C. vacare debent, aut aedificiis aut arboribus occupant. Arbores magis nocent, quarum radicibus concamerationes et latera solvuntur. Dein vicinales vias agrestesque per ipsas formas derigunt. Novissime aditus ad tutelam praecludunt. Quae omnia S. C. quod subieci provisa sunt.

  [126] But very often damages occur by reason of the lawlessness of private owners, who injure the conduits in numerous ways. In the first place, they occupy with buildings or with trees the space around the aqueducts, which according to a resolution of the Senate should remain open. The trees do the most damage, because their roots burst asunder the top coverings as well as the sides. They also lay out village and country roads over the aqueducts themselves. Finally, they shut off access to those coming to make repairs. All these offences have been provided against in the resolution of the Senate, which I append:-

  [127] “Quod Q. Aelius Tubero Paulus Fabius Maximus cos. V. F. aquarum, quae in urbem venirent, itinera occupari monumentis et aedificiis et arboribus conseri, Q. F. P. D. E. R. I. C. cum ad reficiendos rivos specusque per quae opera publica corrumpantur, placere circa fontes et fornices et muros utraque ex parte quinos denos pedes patere, et circa rivos qui sub terra essent et specus intra urbem et urbi continentia aedificia utraque ex parte quinos pedes vacuos relinqui ita ut neque monumentum in eis locis neque aedificium post hoc tempus ponere neque conserere arbores liceret, sique nunc essent arbores intra id spatium, exciderentur praeterquam si quae villae continentes et inclusae aedificiis essent. Si quis adversus ea commiserit, in singulas res poena HS dena milia essent, ex quibus pars dimidia praemium accusatori daretur, cuius opera maxime convictus esset qui adversus hoc S. C. commisisset, pars autem dimidia in aerarium redigeretur. Deque ea re iudicarent cognoscerentque curatores aquarum.”

  [127] “The consuls, Quintus Aelius Tubero and Paulus Fabius Maximus, having made a report that the routes of the aqueducts coming to the city are being encumbered with tombs and edifices and planted with trees, and having inquired of the Senate what it would please to order upon the subject, it has been RESOLVED: That since, for the purpose of repairing the channels and conduits [obstructions must be removed] by which public structures are damaged, it is decreed that there shall be kept clear a space of fifteen feet on each side of the springs, arches, and walls; and that about the subterranean conduits and channels, inside the City, and inside buildings adjoining the City, there shall be left a vacant space of five feet on either side; and it shall not be permitted to erect a tomb at these places after this time, nor any structures, nor to plant trees. If there be any trees within this space at the present time they shall be taken out by the roots except when they are connected with country seats or enclosed in buildings. Whoever shall contravene these provisions, shall pay as penalty, for each contravention, 10,000 sestertii, of which one-half shall be given as a reward to the accuser whose efforts have been chiefly responsible for the conviction of the violator of this vote of the Senate. The other half shall be paid into the public treasury. About these matters the water-commissioners shall judge and take cognizance.”

  [128] Posset hoc S. C. aequissimum videri, etiam si ex re tantum publicae utilitatis ea spatia vindicarentur. Multo magis autem maiores nostri admirabili aequitate ne ea quidem eripuerunt privatis quae ad modum publicum pertinebant, sed cum aquas perducerent, si difficilior possessor in parte vendunda fuerat, pro toto agro pecuniam intulerunt et post determinata necessaria loca rursus eum agrum vendiderunt, ut in suis finibus proprium ius res publica privatique haberent. Plerique tamen non contenti occupasse fines ipsis ductibus manus adtulerunt per suffossa latera passim cursus aquarum tam ei qui ius aquarum impetratum habent, quam ei qui quantulicumque beneficii occasione ad expugnandos rivos abutuntur. Quid porro fieret, si non universa ista diligentissima lege prohiberentur poenaque non mediocris contumacibus intentaretur? Quare subscripsi verba legis.

  [128] This resolution of the Senate would appear perfectly just, even if this ground were claimed solely in view of the public advantage; but with much more admirable justice, our forefathers did not seize from private parties even those lands which were necessary for public purposes but, in the construction of water-works, whenever a proprietor made any difficulty in the sale of a portion, they paid for the whole field, and after marking off the needed part, again sold the land with the understanding that the public as well as private parties should, each one within his boundaries, have his own full rights. But many have not been content to confine themselves to their limits, but have laid hands on the aqueducts themselves by puncturing, here and there, the side walls of the channels, not merely those who have secured a right to draw water, but also those who misuse the occasion of the least favour for attacking the walls of the conduits. What more would not be done, were all those things not prevented by a carefully drawn law, and were not the
transgressors threatened with a serious penalty? Accordingly, I append the words of the law:

  [129] “T. Quintus Crispinus consul * * * populum iure rogavit populusque iure scivit in foro pro rostris aedis Divi Iulii pr. K. Iulias. Tribus Sergia principium fuit. Pro tribu Sex. L. f. Varro primus scivit. Quicumque post hanc legem rogatam rivos, specus, fornices, fistulas, tubulos, castella, lacus aquarum publicarum, quae ad urbem ducuntur, sciens dolo malo foraverit, ruperit, foranda rumpendave curaverit peiorave fecerit, quo minus eae aquae earumve quae pars in urbem Romam ire, cadere, fluere, pervenire, duci possit, quove minus in urbe Roma et in eis locis, aedificiis, quae loca, aedificia urbi continentia sunt, erunt, in eis hortis, praediis, locis, quorum hortorum, praediorum, locorum dominis possessoribusve aqua data vel adtributa est vel erit, saliat, distribuatur, dividatur, in castella, lacus immittatur, is populo Romano HS centum milia dare damnas esto. Et qui D. M. qui eorum ita fecerit, id omne sarcire, reficere, restituere, aedificare, ponere et celere demolire damnas esto sine dolo malo atque omnia ita ut quicumque curator aquarum est, erit, si curator aquarum nemo erit, tum is praetor qui inter cives et peregrinos ius dicet, multa, pignoribus cogito, coercito, eique curatori aut si curator non erit, tum ei praetori eo nomine cogendi, coercendi, multae dicendae sive pignoris capiendi ius potestasque esto. Si quid eorum servus fecerit, dominus eius HS centum milia populo Romano D. D. E. Si qui locus circa rivos, specus, fornices, fistulas, tubulos, castella, lacus aquarum publicarum, quae ad urbem Romam ducuntur et ducentur, terminatus est et erit, ne quis in eo loco post hanc legem rogatam quid opponito, molito, obsaepito, figito, statuito, ponito, conlocato, arato, serito, neve in eum quid immittito, praeterquam eorum faciendorum, reponendorum causa, quae hac lege licebit, oportebit. Qui adversus ea quid fecerit, siremps lex, ius causaque omnium rerum omnibusque esto, atque uti esset esseve oporteret, si is adversus hanc legem rivum, specum rupisset forassetve. Quo minus in eo loco pascere, herbam, fenum secare, sentes tollere liceat, eius hac lege nihilum rogatur. Curatores aquarum, qui nunc sunt quique erunt, faciunto ut in eo loco, qui locus circa fontes et fornices et muros et rivos et specus terminatus est, arbores, vites, vepres, sentes, ripae, maceria, salicta, harundineta tollantur, excidantur, effodiantur, excodicentur, uti quod recte factum esse volent; eoque nomine eis pignoris capio, multae dictio coercitioque esto; idque eis sine fraude sua facere liceat, ius potestasque esto. Quo minus vites, arbores, quae villis, aedificiis maceriisve inclusae sunt, maceriae, quas curatores aquarum causa cognita ne demolirentur dominis permiserunt, quibus inscripta insculptaque essent ipsorum qui permisissent curatorum nomina, maneant, hac lege nihilum rogatur. Quo minus ex eis fontibus, rivis, specibus, fornicibus aquam sumere, haurire eis, quibuscumque curatores aquarum permiserunt, permiserint, praeterquam rota calice, machina liceat, dum ne qui puteus neque foramen novum fiat, eius hac lege nihilum rogatur.