An aqueduct is a water system in which water is channeled through tunnels, canals, ditches and structures guided to any place where it is needed. Ancient Rome had eleven aqueducts that were built between 312 B.C. and A.D. 226. The eleven aqueducts totaled over 260 miles in length, the longest being 59 miles. When the cities population was over a million, the distribution system used by Rome was able to provide over one cubic meter of water per day for each inhabitant: more than we use today. Although Ancient Persia, India, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries used aqueducts hundreds of years before Rome, the Romans are known to be the greatest aqueduct builders. Usually when people think of an aqueduct system, arched bridges come to mind.
