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The largest of
several intact sections of the Roman aqueduct serving Nemausus (Nîmes)
may be seen at Pont du Gard, 18 km NE of Nîmes. The famous three-tiered
aqueduct-bridge spans 275 meters over the Gardon valley. It was built of
limestone blocks weighing up to six tons each, fitted together without mortar
and secured with iron clamps.
This monumental Roman engineering feat, begun by Agrippa in about 19 BC, was completed over a century later during Trajan's reign (AD 98-117). The aqueduct brought water 50 km from the springs of Fontaine d'Eure at Uzès to Nîmes down a total gradiant of only 17 meters, to supply some 400 liters per person per day to town residents.
[Fig.1: The Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard, France (photo: Athena Review).]
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