Anio Novus

About

Aqua Anio Novus (Latin for "New Anio aqueduct") was an ancient Roman aqueduct supplying the city of Rome. Like the Aqua Claudia, it was begun by emperor Caligula in 38 AD and completed in 52 AD by Claudius, who dedicated them both on August 1. The aqueduct—together with the Aqua Anio Vetus, Aqua Marcia and Aqua Claudia—is regarded as one of the four great aqueducts of Rome. The quality of water Aqua Anio Novus delivered to the city of Rome left much to be desired, and before Frontinus' reforms of the water supply system its waters were used to supplement the flow of other aqueducts when needed—rendering waters in those too torpid in the process.

History: The building of Aqua Anio Novus was lacking in quality, and it required repairs after a few decades of use. In or around 71 AD the aqueduct was extensively restored by Vespasian. Further repairs took place during the reign of Trajan, and smaller repairs were made during Hadrian's reign as well. The aqueduct was again restored while the Severan dynasty was in power, in 201 AD. After 201 AD and before 381 AD many repairs were made to the Aqua Anio Novus, albeit they can not be dated exactly.