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57-468: Aqua Augusta may refer to two Roman aqueducts: Aqua Augusta (Naples) supplying the Bay of Naples Aqua Augusta (Rome) supplying Rome Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Aqua Augusta . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to

114-593: A plebeian family c.  63 BC , in an uncertain location in Roman Italy , he met the future emperor Augustus, then known as Octavian, at Apollonia , in Illyria . Following the assassination of Octavian's great-uncle Julius Caesar in 44 BC, Octavian returned to Italy. Around this time, Agrippa was elected tribune of the plebs . He served as a military commander, fighting alongside Octavian and Caesar's former general and right-hand man Mark Antony in

171-621: A child. He had an elder brother whose name was also Lucius Vipsanius , and a sister named Vipsania Polla . His family originated in the Italian countryside, and was of humbler and plebeian origins when compared to the highest families of the Roman aristocracy. They had not been prominent in Roman public life (but were nevertheless massively wealthy if compared to the average Roman family). According to some scholars, including Victor Gardthausen , R. E. A. Palmer , and David Ridgway , Agrippa's family

228-493: A month in mourning. Augustus oversaw the education of Agrippa's children. Agrippa had built a tomb for himself but Augustus had Agrippa's remains placed in the Mausoleum of Augustus . Agrippa was not only Augustus' most skilled subordinate commander but also his closest companion, serving him faithfully for over three decades. Historian Glen Bowersock says of Agrippa: Agrippa deserved the honours Augustus heaped upon him. It

285-504: A naval base. Antony drew up his ships and troops at Actium , where Octavian moved to meet him. Agrippa meanwhile defeated Antony's supporter Quintus Nasidius in a naval battle at Patrae . Dio relates that as Agrippa moved to join Octavian near Actium, he encountered Gaius Sosius , one of Antony's lieutenants, who was making a surprise attack on the squadron of Lucius Tarius , a supporter of Octavian. Agrippa's unexpected arrival turned

342-474: A pact with Mark Antony and Lepidus , legally established in 43 BC as the Second Triumvirate . Octavian and his consular colleague Quintus Pedius arranged for Caesar's assassins to be prosecuted in their absence , and Agrippa was entrusted with the case against Gaius Cassius Longinus . It may have been in the same year that Agrippa began his political career, holding the position of tribune of

399-590: A private connection and so it seems that imperial favour was also a factor in accessing the Augusta's water. During the war with Sextus Pompey , Augustus ordered the construction of the Portus Julius harbour just west of Puteoli. Later, this harbour was seen as less ideal because of silting problems and a new major naval base was built further west at Misenum to become the basis of the western Mediterranean fleet. Large quantities of fresh water were needed for

456-546: A sea crossing was needed to the island of Nisida . The aqueduct passed underground 400m south of the Roman baths at Agnano with its own branch, and a few metres north of the amphitheatre of Pozzuoli with a 70m branch to the aqueduct. The Serino aqueduct was constructed during the Augustan period of the Roman Empire, probably from 33 BC when Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (close friend and ally of Emperor Augustus )

513-526: A sort of honourable exile. He only sent his legate to Syria , while he remained at Lesbos and governed by proxy. He might have been on a secret mission to negotiate with the Parthians about the return of the Roman legions' standards. On the death of Marcellus, which took place within a year of his exile, he was recalled to Rome by Augustus, who found he could not dispense with his services. If one places

570-483: A tribune of the plebeians. These great powers of state are not usually heaped upon a former exile. It is said that Maecenas advised Augustus to attach Agrippa still more closely to him by making him his son-in-law. In 21 BC, he induced Agrippa to divorce Marcella and marry his daughter, Julia the Elder —the widow of Marcellus, equally celebrated for her beauty, abilities, and her shameless extravagance. In 19 BC, Agrippa

627-518: Is conceivable that without Agrippa, Octavian would never have become emperor. Rome would remember Agrippa for his generosity in attending to aqueducts, sewers, and baths. Agrippa was also a writer, especially on the subject of geography . Under his supervision, Julius Caesar's dream of having a complete survey of the Empire made was carried out. Agrippa constructed a circular chart, which was later engraved on marble by Augustus, and afterwards placed in

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684-425: Is likely that there were several supplementary sources at other points in the network, including the branches from Avellino and at Scalandrone near Baiae . One of its main terminations was the enormous Piscina Mirabilis cistern at the naval base and port of Misenum . Since the aqueduct traversed such a distance, many difficulties were encountered when building it: several long tunnels were cut through mountains;

741-507: The Battle of Actium was fought. Octavian's victory, which gave him the mastery of Rome and the empire, was mainly due to Agrippa. Octavian then bestowed upon him the hand of his niece Claudia Marcella Major in 28 BC. He also served a second consulship with Octavian the same year. In 27 BC, Agrippa held a third consulship with Octavian, and in that year, the Senate also bestowed upon Octavian

798-764: The Battle of Munda . Caesar regarded him highly enough to send him with Octavius in 45 BC to study in Apollonia (on the Illyrian coast) with the Macedonian legions , while Caesar consolidated his power in Rome. In the fourth month of their stay in Apollonia the news of Julius Caesar's assassination in March 44 BC reached them. Agrippa and another friend, Quintus Salvidienus Rufus , advised Octavius to march on Rome with

855-596: The Battle of Philippi . In 40 BC, he was praetor urbanus and played a major role in the Perusine war against Lucius Antonius and Fulvia, respectively the brother and wife of Mark Antony. In 39 or 38 BC, Agrippa was appointed governor of Transalpine Gaul . In 38 BC, he put down a rising of the Aquitanians and fought the Germanic tribes. He was consul for 37 BC, well below the usual minimum age of 43, to oversee

912-521: The aqueduct known as the Aqua Marcia and an extension of its pipes to cover more of the city. He became the first Curator Aquarum of Rome in 33 BC. Through his actions after being elected in 33 BC as one of the aediles (officials responsible for Rome's buildings and festivals), the streets were repaired and the sewers were cleaned out, and lavish public spectacles were held. Agrippa signalled his tenure of office by effecting great improvements in

969-488: The consulship for 37 BC. He was well below the usual minimum age of 43, but Octavian had suffered a humiliating naval defeat against Sextus Pompey and needed his friend to oversee the preparations for further warfare. Agrippa refused the offer of a triumph for his exploits in Gaul – on the grounds, says Dio , that he thought it improper to celebrate during a time of trouble for Octavian. Since Sextus Pompeius had command of

1026-476: The settlement plans of 23 BC failed and Augustus needed military support. After 23 BC, as part of what became known as Augustus's Second Constitutional Settlement , Agrippa's constitutional powers were greatly increased to provide the Principate of Augustus with greater constitutional stability by providing for a political heir or replacement for Augustus if he were to succumb to his habitual ill health or

1083-662: The 6 km-long (3.7 mi) Monti di Forino tunnel crossed a watershed in the Apennines (one of the longest Roman tunnels), and a 2 km-long (1.2 mi) tunnel crossed into the Sarno plain; also at the Crypta Neapolitana road tunnel and the Grotta di Cocceio road tunnel. A 3.5 km-long (2.2 mi) raised section on arches was built at Pomigliano d’Arco . There was ground movement due to seismic activity and

1140-488: The Cimmerian Chersonnese ( Crimean Peninsula ). Agrippa's last public service was his beginning of the conquest of the upper Danube River region, which would become the Roman province of Pannonia in 13 BC. He died at Campania in 12 BC at the age of 50–51. His posthumous son, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa Postumus , was named in his honor. Augustus honoured his memory by a magnificent funeral and spent over

1197-765: The Hellenistic necropolis. Also a new piece of the ancient aqueduct has been identified uphill from via Foria in the “Miracoli” district where the channel runs underground for 220 m. It features prominently in the novel Pompeii by Robert Harris , whose protagonist is a water engineer ("Aquarius") sent from Rome to maintain the aqueduct in AD 79 during the time around the eruption of Mount Vesuvius . 40°47′43″N 14°4′49″E  /  40.79528°N 14.08028°E  / 40.79528; 14.08028 Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa ( / ə ˈ ɡ r ɪ p ə / ; c.  63 BC – 12 BC)

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1254-605: The Perusine war, Octavian departed for Gaul , leaving Agrippa as urban praetor in Rome with instructions to defend Italy against Sextus Pompeius , an opponent of the Triumvirate who was now occupying Sicily . In July 40 BC, while Agrippa was occupied with the Ludi Apollinares that were the praetor's responsibility, Sextus began a raid in southern Italy. Agrippa advanced on him, forcing him to withdraw. However,

1311-467: The Triumvirate proved unstable, and in August 40 BC both Sextus and Antony invaded Italy (but not in an organized alliance). Agrippa's success in retaking Sipontum from Antony helped bring an end to the conflict. Agrippa was among the intermediaries through whom Antony and Octavian agreed once more upon peace. During the discussions Octavian learned that Salvidienus had offered to betray him to Antony, with

1368-567: The aqueduct covered in ash, and 3.5 km (2.2 mi) of the duct, the Pomigliano d’Arco arcade, collapsed prior to the actual eruption. This cut off the supply of water to all the towns except Nola and Acerrae. The poor administrative and economic situation in Campania at this time, and Italy in general, prevented major repairs to the Augusta and after this time only other aqueducts in the area were referred to. In modern times, parts of

1425-445: The aqueduct dated to Augustus and not to Claudius as previously thought. The destinations listed on the tablet are: Nola , Acerrae , Atella , Naples , Pozzuoli , Baiae , Cumae , and Misenum . The cities of Pompeii , Herculaneum and Stabiae were also originally supplied by the aqueduct but, being buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD , they did not appear on this list. The next major eruption in 472 AD left

1482-605: The aqueduct including the Piscina Mirabilis were vital to the region's survival as air-raid shelters during World War II. There are few visible remains of the aqueduct today, although much of it still exists below ground. Traces of the original structure may be found at a number of sites in and around Naples. These include: Recently, arches of the twin aqueduct have been revealed in cellars of buildings in Rione Sanità , in 6 via Arena alla Sanità, and are open to

1539-610: The base itself and for the ships which may have been one of the reasons the new aqueduct was built. Such a major monument required constant maintenance; there were major repairs in the Flavian period (1st century AD) with the addition of parallel tunnels and the Emperor Constantine also engaged in a massive restoration documented on an inscription tablet discovered in Serino and dated to AD 324. Its text proved that

1596-649: The battle around. As the decisive battle approached, according to Dio, Octavian received intelligence that Antony and Cleopatra planned to break past his naval blockade and escape. At first he wished to allow the flagships past, arguing that he could overtake them with his lighter vessels and that the other opposing ships would surrender when they saw their leaders' cowardice. Agrippa objected, saying that Antony's ships, although larger, could outrun Octavian's if they hoisted sails, and that Octavian ought to fight now because Antony's fleet had just been struck by storms. Octavian followed his friend's advice. On 2 September 31 BC,

1653-620: The branches, the total length of the aqueduct was approximately 145 km (90 mi), making it the longest Roman aqueduct system in the Roman world, with the possible exception of the Gadara Aqueduct , until the 5th century AD when the Valens Aqueduct was extended in Constantinople . The Aqua Augusta was one of the most difficult and costly aqueducts ever constructed by an ancient civilisation due to its length and

1710-480: The city of Rome, restoring and building aqueducts, enlarging and cleansing the Cloaca Maxima , constructing baths and porticos, and laying out gardens. He also gave a stimulus to the public exhibition of works of art. It was unusual for an ex-consul to hold the lower-ranking position of aedile , but Agrippa's success bore out that break with tradition. As emperor, Augustus would later boast that "he had found

1767-578: The city of brick but left it of marble" in part because of the great services provided by Agrippa under his reign. Agrippa was again called away to take command of the fleet when the war with Antony and Cleopatra broke out. He captured the strategically important city of Methone at the southwest of the Peloponnese , then sailed north, raiding the Greek coast and capturing Corcyra (modern Corfu ). Octavian then brought his forces to Corcyra, occupying it as

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1824-515: The colonnade built by his sister Polla. Amongst his writings, an autobiography, now lost, is referenced. Agrippa established a standard for the Roman foot in 29 BC, and thus a definition of a pace as 5 feet. An imperial Roman mile denotes 5,000  Roman feet . The term Via Agrippa is used for any part of the network of roadways in Gaul built by Agrippa. Some of these still exist as paths or even as highways. The Roman tribe Agrippia

1881-581: The difficult terrain it crossed. Despite its size and complexity, the Aqua Augusta is today largely unknown as a major monument because most of it is underground. The aqueduct's main source ( caput aquae ), the Fons Augusteus (now known as Acquaro-Pelosi), was in the Terminio -Tuoro mountains near the modern town of Serino not far from the city of Avellino and at 376 m above sea level. It

1938-404: The events in the context of the crisis of 23 BC it seems unlikely that, when facing significant opposition and about to make a political climb down, the emperor Augustus would place a man in exile in charge of the largest body of Roman troops. What is far more likely is that Agrippa's 'exile' was actually the careful political positioning of a loyal lieutenant in command of a significant army in case

1995-559: The family of Julius Caesar , his elder brother chose another side in the civil wars of the 40s BC, fighting under Cato against Caesar in Africa . When Cato's forces were defeated, Agrippa's brother was taken prisoner but freed after Octavian interceded on his behalf. It is not known whether Agrippa fought against his brother in Africa, but he probably served in Caesar's campaign of 46 to 45 BC against Gnaeus Pompeius , which culminated in

2052-453: The grant of these powers Agrippa was, on paper, almost as powerful as Augustus was; there was no doubt that Augustus was the man in charge. Agrippa was appointed governor of the eastern provinces a second time in 17 BC, where his just and prudent administration won him the respect and good-will of the provincials, especially from the Jewish population. Agrippa also restored Roman control over

2109-641: The highest quality public services, and was responsible for the creation of many baths, porticoes , and gardens. He was also awarded powers almost as great as those of Augustus. He had veto power over the acts of the Senate and the power to present laws for approval by the People. He died in 12 BC at the age of 50–51. Augustus honored his memory with a magnificent funeral and spent over a month in mourning. His remains were placed in Augustus' own mausoleum . Agrippa

2166-638: The imperial title of Augustus . In commemoration of the Battle of Actium, Agrippa built and dedicated the building that served as the Roman Pantheon before its destruction in AD 80. Emperor Hadrian used Agrippa's design to build his own Pantheon, which survives in Rome. The inscription of the later building, which was built c.  125 , preserves the text of the inscription from Agrippa's building during his third consulship. The years following his third consulship, Agrippa spent in Gaul, reforming

2223-419: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aqua_Augusta&oldid=932692727 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Aqua Augusta (Naples) The eastern parts of the route of the aqueduct are well known thanks to

2280-452: The plebs , which granted him entry to the Senate . In 42 BC, Agrippa probably fought alongside Octavian and Antony in the Battle of Philippi . After their return to Rome, he played a major role in Octavian's war against Lucius Antonius and Fulvia , respectively the brother and wife of Mark Antony, which began in 41 BC and ended in the capture of Perusia in 40 BC. However, Salvidienus remained Octavian's main general at this time. After

2337-609: The preparations for warfare against Sextus Pompey , who had cut off grain shipments to Rome. Agrippa defeated Pompey in the battles of Mylae and Naulochus in 36 BC. In 33 BC, he served as curule aedile . Agrippa commanded the victorious Octavian's fleet at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. A few years after the victory at Actium, Octavian became emperor and took the title of Princeps, while Agrippa remained as his close friend and lieutenant. Agrippa assisted Augustus in making Rome "a city of marble". Agrippa renovated aqueducts to provide Roman citizens from every social class access to

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2394-409: The provincial administration and taxation system, along with building an effective road system and aqueducts. Agrippa's friendship with Augustus seems to have been clouded by the jealousy of Augustus's nephew and son-in-law Marcus Claudius Marcellus . Traditionally it is said that the result of such jealousy was that Agrippa left Rome, ostensibly to take over the governorship of eastern provinces –

2451-400: The public. They run from north to south for a long section at a separation of 10m and then come as close as 2m in the southern part. The western channel is Augustan, whereas the eastern part was added later. They sparked increased interest in research, which has led to more exploration of the line of the monumental aqueduct. An immense cistern on the line of the channels has been found next to

2508-536: The result that Salvidienus was prosecuted and either executed or committed suicide. Agrippa was now Octavian's leading general. In 39 or 38 BC, Octavian appointed Agrippa governor of Transalpine Gaul , where in 38 BC he put down a rising of the Aquitanians . He also fought the Germanic tribes , becoming the next Roman general to cross the Rhine after Julius Caesar . He was summoned back to Rome by Octavian to assume

2565-523: The sea on the coasts of Italy, Agrippa's first care was to provide a safe harbour for Octavian's ships. He accomplished this by cutting through the strips of land which separated the Lacus Lucrinus from the sea, thus forming an outer harbour, while joining the lake Avernus to the Lucrinus to serve as an inner harbor. The new harbor-complex was named Portus Julius in Octavian's honour. Agrippa

2622-552: The second Emperor Tiberius ), and was the maternal grandfather of Caligula and the maternal great-grandfather of the Emperor Nero . Agrippa was born c.  63 BC , in an uncertain location. His father was called Lucius Vipsanius . His mother's name is not known and Pliny the Elder claimed that his cognomen " Agrippa " derived from him having been born breech so it is possible that she died in childbirth. Pliny also stated that he suffered from lameness as

2679-457: The triumvir Lepidus into retirement and entered Rome in triumph. Agrippa received the unprecedented honour of a corona navalis decorated with the beaks of ships; as Dio remarks, this was "a decoration given to nobody before or since". Agrippa participated in smaller military campaigns in 35 and 34 BC, but by the autumn of 34 BC he had returned to Rome. He rapidly set out on a campaign of public repairs and improvements, including renovation of

2736-526: The troops from Macedonia, but Octavius decided to sail to Italy with a small retinue. After his arrival, he learned that Caesar had adopted him as his legal heir. Octavius at this time took Caesar's name, but modern historians refer to him as "Octavian" during this period. After Octavian's return to Rome, he and his supporters realised they needed the support of legions. Agrippa helped Octavian to levy troops in Campania . Once Octavian had his legions, he made

2793-502: The writings of two Italian engineers, who were asked to see if it could be brought back in use as the main water supply of Naples in the 16th and 19th centuries. The western part beyond Naples was less known until recent research. There were ten branches, seven of which were for cities while three were for some of the numerous luxurious villas in this area popular with rich Romans, such as the Villa Pollio at Posillipo . Including

2850-415: Was curator aquarum in Rome, principally in order to refurnish the Roman fleet of Misenum and secondarily to supply water for the increasing demand of the important commercial harbour of Puteoli as well as for big cities such as Cumae and Neapolis. There is evidence that a large number of private users were members of the Rome senatorial class. In Rome, a letter from the emperor was required to gain

2907-423: Was a Roman general, statesman and architect who was a close friend, son-in-law and lieutenant to the Roman emperor Augustus . Agrippa is well known for his important military victories, notably the Battle of Actium in 31 BC against the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra . He was also responsible for the construction of some of the most notable buildings of his era, including the original Pantheon . Born to

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2964-410: Was also known as a writer, especially on geography. Under his supervision, Julius Caesar's design of having a complete survey of the empire made was accomplished. From the materials at hand he constructed a circular chart, which was engraved on marble by Augustus and afterwards placed in the colonnade built by his sister Vipsania Polla . Agrippa was also husband to Julia the Elder (who had later married

3021-651: Was also responsible for technological improvements, including larger ships and an improved form of grappling hook . About this time, he married Caecilia Pomponia Attica , daughter of Cicero 's friend Titus Pomponius Atticus . In 36 BC, Octavian and Agrippa set sail against Sextus. The fleet was badly damaged by storms and had to withdraw; Agrippa was left in charge of the second attempt. Thanks to superior technology and training, Agrippa and his men won decisive victories at Mylae and Naulochus , destroying all but seventeen of Sextus' ships and compelling most of his forces to surrender. Octavian, with his power increased, forced

3078-406: Was assassinated. In the course of the year, proconsular imperium , similar to Augustus's power, was conferred upon Agrippa for five years. The exact nature of the grant is uncertain but it probably covered Augustus's imperial provinces , east and west, perhaps lacking authority over the provinces of the Senate. That was to come later, as was the jealously guarded tribunicia potestas , or powers of

3135-437: Was conferred without his having to hold the office. These powers were considerable, giving him veto power over the acts of the Senate or other magistracies, including those of other tribunes, and the power to present laws for approval by the People. Just as important, a tribune's person was sacred, meaning that any person who harmfully touched them or impeded their actions, including political acts, could lawfully be killed. After

3192-536: Was employed in putting down a rising of the Cantabrians in Hispania ( Cantabrian Wars ). In 18 BC, Agrippa's powers were even further increased to almost match those of Augustus. That year his proconsular imperium was augmented to cover the senatorial provinces and was granted tribunicia potestas , or powers of a tribune of the plebeians. As was the case with Augustus, Agrippa's grant of tribunician powers

3249-551: Was originally from Pisa in Etruria . Agrippa's family most likely gained Roman citizenship after the Social War in 87 BC and, like many other Italians, immigrated to Rome to take advantage of the social mobility opportunities that arose at the war's end. Agrippa was the same age as Octavian (the future emperor Augustus ), and the two were educated together and became close friends. Despite Agrippa's association with

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