Rome’s Ingenious Water Delivery Systems

With the building of the very first raised aqueduct in Rome, the Aqua Anio Vetus in 273 BC, folks who lived on the city’s hills no longer had to rely only on naturally-occurring spring water for their needs. When aqueducts or springs weren’t easily accessible, people dwelling at greater elevations turned to water removed from underground or rainwater, which was made possible by wells and cisterns. From the early sixteenth century, water was routed to Pincian Hill through the underground channel of Acqua Vergine. The aqueduct’s channel was made accessible by pozzi, or manholes, that were situated along its length when it was initially built. While these manholes were provided to make it much easier to conserve the aqueduct, it was also feasible to use containers to extract water from the channel, which was practiced by Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi from the time he acquired the property in 1543 to his passing in 1552. He didn’t get adequate water from the cistern that he had built on his property to obtain rainwater. Through an opening to the aqueduct that ran underneath his property, he was able to fulfill his water desires.

The Outcome of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Gardens

The Outcome of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Gardens The Anglo-Saxon way of life was drastically changed by the appearance of the Normans in the later eleventh century. The Normans were better than the Anglo-Saxons at architecture and horticulture when they came into power. However, there was no time for home life, domestic design, and adornment until the Normans had conquered the whole region. Because of this, castles were cruder structures than monasteries: Monasteries were often immense stone buildings set in the biggest and most fertile valleys, while castles were built on windy crests where their residents dedicated time and space to tasks for offense and defense. Peaceful pursuits such as gardening were out of place in these desolate citadels. Outcome Norman Invasion Anglo-Saxon Gardens 7607347604.jpg

Outcome Norman Invasion Anglo-Saxon Gardens 7607347604.jpg

The finest specimen of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture existent in modern times is Berkeley Castle. It is said that the keep was introduced during William the Conqueror's time. An enormous terrace encompasses the building, serving as an obstruction to attackers intending to dig under the castle walls. On one of these terraces sits a stylish bowling green: it is covered in grass and flanked by an old yew hedge that is created into the shape of rough ramparts.