Roman engineering achievements shaped the ancient world and continue to influence us today. Roads, aqueducts, and concrete structures built two millennia ago still stand as testaments to Roman ingenuity.
The Roman road network eventually exceeded 50,000 miles, connecting every corner of the empire. Built in layers—foundation, gravel, paving stones—many routes still underlie modern roads. The phrase "all roads lead to Rome" reflected literal truth.
Aqueducts brought fresh water to cities. Rome's system included 11 aqueducts totaling over 300 miles, delivering 38 million gallons daily. The engineering was precise: aqueducts maintained a consistent gradient, sometimes as gentle as 1:4800, using only gravity to move water.