Frontinus

Frontinus was born in about AD 30. After a successful military career, Frontinus was appointed to the Commission for Public Economy where he was given the task of supervising Rome's water supply. Frontinus wrote books on a variety of subjects but the most important is his detailed study of Roman aqueducts. Frontinus was a highly respected figure in Rome and was elected consul three times (AD 73, AD 98 and AD 100).

Primary Sources

(1) Frontinus, Aqueducts (c. AD 80)

The improved health of Rome is a result of the greater number of reservoirs, aqueducts, fountains, and water basins... the appearance of Rome is cleaner and changed, and the causes of the unhealthy atmosphere, that gave Rome so bad a name among the ancients, are now removed.