Devin Jacobs
As a marvel of innovation and engineering, the Roman Empire left several legacies that have endured for over two millennia. Its ingenuity wasn’t limited to military strategies; it extended to everyday tools, methods, and systems that still shape our world. Let’s take a closer look at 20 unforgettable Roman inventions that continue to impact our lives today.
Aqueducts
Roman aqueducts revolutionized water transportation by ensuring a consistent and clean water supply. These structures, often built using arches to support their immense weight, carried water from distant sources to urban centers, supplying public baths, fountains, and private households. Today, the concept of aqueducts lives on in modern water management systems.
Concrete
Also called opus caementicium, Roman concrete was a groundbreaking material that enabled the construction of enduring structures like the Pantheon and Colosseum. Their recipe included lime, volcanic ash, and rubble, which created a durable and weather-resistant material. Remarkably, due to some science still unknown to us, Roman concrete can last longer than modern ones.
Road Networks
The Roman road network, stretching over 250,000 miles, was pivotal in unifying the vast empire. Layers of stone, gravel, and sand created durable roads. Modern highways and road-building techniques, including the use of layered foundations, drainage systems, and direct routes mirrors, owe much to Roman innovations.
Roman Numerals
Roman numerals were a practical numbering system used in engineering and record-keeping. They facilitated complex calculations and standardized measurements across the empire. Although less common now, clock faces, book chapters, and legal documents continue to use Roman numerals. Their role in the early development of mathematics and record-keeping is still felt today.
Sewage and Sanitation Systems
Rome had an extensive underground network that drained wastewater from the city. Known as the Cloaca Maxima, this system was one of the world’s earliest sewer systems. It reduced disease and improved urban hygiene. Techniques like gravity-driven drainage, which the Romans mastered, are still employed in designing contemporary sewer networks.
Arches
Bridges and stadiums still utilize arches. They enhance structural integrity and aesthetic appeal and are a cornerstone of modern architecture. Though today’s arches are much more sophisticated than those used in Rome, the foundational theories are Roman. The empire used arches in aqueducts, bridges, and buildings, many of which still stand today.
Central Heating (Hypocaust System)
The Romans developed the hypocaust system, an early form of central heating. The system used a furnace to heat air, which then circulated beneath raised floors and within walls. The principles behind it underpin modern central heating. Radiant floor heating, in particular, draws directly from this ancient innovation.
Calendars
Most humans today cannot do without the Gregorian calendar, a refinement of the Julian calendar. This system, introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, significantly improved over earlier systems. It established a 365-day year with a leap year every four years, providing a more accurate means of tracking time.
Bound Books (Codex)
Whereas people previously used scrolls for writing, the Romans introduced the codex, a bound book format made from parchment or vellum. Codices made reading and writing more practical by allowing easier access to information and better durability. Current libraries, education, and publishing industries thrive on this enduring concept.
Public Baths and Social Spaces
Public baths during the Roman era were more than places to bathe; they were social hubs that offered exercise, relaxation, and conversation. These places were designed with advanced heating and water management systems. Similarly, 21st-century spas and recreational centers echo the Roman tradition of combining utility with leisure.
Urban Planning
Rome’s impact on urban planning cannot be forgotten in a hurry. The empire established grid-based city layouts and designed cities for functionality and efficiency. Each town had distinct residential, commercial, and administrative zones, with a central forum serving as a public activity hub. Such facilities are similar to those in modern settlements.
Concrete Domes
Edifices like the Pantheon demonstrate how much the Romans mastered the art of building domes. Using lightweight concrete and innovative engineering, Romans created a self-supporting structure that is today the largest unreinforced concrete dome. Though technological advances have made modern domes more durable, the basic concept of the Roman dome persists.
Bridges
Trained Roman engineers built durable bridges using stones, mortars, and the iconic Roman arches. These bridges often included multiple spans and piers, a good example of which is the Ponte Milvio, built in 206 BCE. Contemporary bridges also focus on durability and functionality and use precast concrete, steel arches, and suspension systems.
Postal Systems
The Cursus Publicus was an efficient postal system that connected the vast Roman Empire. It used relay stations stocked with fresh horses and couriers to transport messages quickly over long distances. This system heavily influenced today’s postal and courier services. Relay stations have evolved into distribution centers, and their efficiency enhances contemporary logistics.
Public Libraries
Public libraries in ancient Rome made knowledge accessible to a wider audience. Libraries in Rome and Ephesus housed vast collections of scrolls and codices. Similarly, public libraries in recent times have continued this tradition by serving as accessible hubs of knowledge. They offer books, digital resources, community programs, and study areas.
Glassblowing
While glassmaking predates the Romans, they refined the art of glassblowing and popularized its use in everyday life. Roman artisans created intricate glass vessels, windows, and decorative items and spread this craft across the empire. Their knowledge has been passed down to contemporary glassmakers who produce scientific equipment and artistic creations.
Surveys and Land Measurement
Agrimensores, or Roman surveyors, used tools like the groma and choro bates to measure land and construct roads and aqueducts with precision. Accurate land division was necessary for taxation and ownership purposes. Similar standardized measurements, tools, and processes are used today, though several aspects of these have been improved.
Public Health Systems
Contemporary public health systems emphasize sanitation, clean water, and accessible healthcare. However, these ideas date back to ancient Rome. The kingdom prioritized public health through clean water, sewage systems, and public baths. They also established medical facilities for soldiers and developed surgical tools that influenced future medical practices.
Roman Law
Law and order are the bedrock of any civilization. The Romans understood this and established a legal system encapsulated in the Twelve Tables and later codes. Such a system influenced the laws used by several countries today. Examples include principles like “innocent until proven guilty” and the rights of the accused.
Currency
The Romans developed a standardized currency system using gold, silver, and bronze coins. This legal tender facilitated trade across the empire and introduced the concept of monetary stability. Most contemporary communities worldwide rely on standardized currency, though digital transactions and paper money have replaced metal coins in many contexts.