Bridges
Roman bridges were among the first large and lasting bridges ever built. They were built with stone, employing the arch as basic structure. Most utilized concrete as well. Built in 142 BC, the Pons Aemilius, later named Ponte Rotto (broken bridge) is the oldest Roman stone bridge in Rome, Italy.
The biggest Roman bridge was Trajan's bridge over the lower Danube, constructed by Apollodorus of Damascus, which remained for over a millennium; the longest bridge to have been built both in terms of overall and span length. They were normally at least 18 meters above the body of water.
An example of temporary military bridge construction are the two Caesar's Rhine bridges.
Read more about this topic: Roman Engineering
Famous quotes containing the word bridges:
“We live technologically, with man as the master of nature, man as the engineer, and let anyone who raises his voice against it stop using bridges not built by nature.... No electric light bulbs, no engines, no atomic energy, no calculating machines, no anaesthetics—back to the jungle.”
—Max Frisch (1911–1991)
“I will not let thee go.
I hold thee by too many bands:
Thou sayest farewell, and lo!
I have thee by the hands,
And will not let thee go.”
—Robert Bridges (1844–1930)
“Awake! the land is scattered with light, and see,
Uncanopied sleep is flying from field and tree:”
—Robert Bridges (1844–1930)