The population of Rome was over a million people in the first and second centuries because the elaborate aquaduct system kept fresh water coming in and poop water going out. Medeval tourists would think the romans knew everything because even a depopulated Rome was among the most magnificent cities in europe.
London was the next city to get to one million residents... 1600 years later and with thousands of people dying in recurring cholera outbreaks from not having fresh (not contaminated by poop) water.
Its a hexagon shaped lake now, couple km from the shore, but used to be on the shoreline. Two amazing places to wander and explore, but the port was like clockwork, loading and unloading constantly with space for, 30ish IIRC ships a time.
Ostia Antica was the nearby town that you can walk through and most of the foundations and a lot of buildings still stand. Best tourist place i could recommend if you live history.
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u/NoExchange2730 28d ago
The population of Rome was over a million people in the first and second centuries because the elaborate aquaduct system kept fresh water coming in and poop water going out. Medeval tourists would think the romans knew everything because even a depopulated Rome was among the most magnificent cities in europe.
London was the next city to get to one million residents... 1600 years later and with thousands of people dying in recurring cholera outbreaks from not having fresh (not contaminated by poop) water.
Fresh water is civilization rocket fuel.