DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42497#0170
FOURTH APPENDIX TO PRIMITIVE FORTIFICATIONS.
Streets of Rome.
The following extract from the Annals of Tacitus on the subject
of new streets after the great fire of Nero, is so much to the purpose
that it ought not to be omitted here :—
“ The ground which, after marking out his own domain, Nero left to the public,
was not laid out for the new city in a hurry, and without judgment, as was the
case after the irruption of the Gauls. A regular plan was formed ; the streets
were made wide and long ; the elevation of the houses was defined, with an open
area before the doors, and porticoes to secure and adorn the front. The expense
of the porticoes Nero undertook to defray out of his own revenue. He promised
besides, as soon as the work was finished, to clear the ground, and leave a clear
space to every house, without any charge to the occupier. In order to excite
a spirit of industry and emulation, he held forth rewards proportioned to the rank
of each individual, provided the buildings were finished in a limited time. The
rubbish, by his order, was removed to the marshes of Ostia, and the ships that
brought corn up the river were to return loaded with the refuse of the workmen.
Add to all this, the several houses built on a new principle were to be raised to
a certain elevation, without beams or wood-work, on arches of stone from the
quarries of Alba or Gabii ; those materials being impervious, and of a nature to
resist the force of fire. The springs of water which had been before that time
intercepted by individuals for their separate use, were no longer suffered to be
diverted from their channel, but left to the care of commissioners, that the public
might be properly supplied, and, in case of fire, to have a reservoir at hand to
stop the progress of the mischief.
‘ ‘ It was also settled that the houses should no longer be contiguous, with slight
party walls to divide them ; but every house was to stand detached, surrounded
and insulated by its own inclosure. These regulations, it must be admitted, were
of public utility, and added much to the embellishment of the new city. But still
the old plan of Rome was not without its advocates. It was thought more con-
ducive to the health of the inhabitants. The narrowness of the streets, and
the elevation of the buildings, served to exclude the rays of the sun ; whereas
the more open space, having neither shade nor shelter, left men exposed to the
intense heat of the day
Jerusalem (for comparison).
“Tacitus has described the city of Jerusalem and the Temple ; but perhaps,
with the advantage of D’Anville’s plan, a more distinct idea of the place may now
be given. The city stood upon two hills, namely, Mount Sion to the south, and
Aera to the north. The former, being the loftiest, was called the upper, and
Aera the lower city. The walls of each were washed on the outside by a broad
8 Annals of Tacitus, xv. 43.
Streets of Rome.
The following extract from the Annals of Tacitus on the subject
of new streets after the great fire of Nero, is so much to the purpose
that it ought not to be omitted here :—
“ The ground which, after marking out his own domain, Nero left to the public,
was not laid out for the new city in a hurry, and without judgment, as was the
case after the irruption of the Gauls. A regular plan was formed ; the streets
were made wide and long ; the elevation of the houses was defined, with an open
area before the doors, and porticoes to secure and adorn the front. The expense
of the porticoes Nero undertook to defray out of his own revenue. He promised
besides, as soon as the work was finished, to clear the ground, and leave a clear
space to every house, without any charge to the occupier. In order to excite
a spirit of industry and emulation, he held forth rewards proportioned to the rank
of each individual, provided the buildings were finished in a limited time. The
rubbish, by his order, was removed to the marshes of Ostia, and the ships that
brought corn up the river were to return loaded with the refuse of the workmen.
Add to all this, the several houses built on a new principle were to be raised to
a certain elevation, without beams or wood-work, on arches of stone from the
quarries of Alba or Gabii ; those materials being impervious, and of a nature to
resist the force of fire. The springs of water which had been before that time
intercepted by individuals for their separate use, were no longer suffered to be
diverted from their channel, but left to the care of commissioners, that the public
might be properly supplied, and, in case of fire, to have a reservoir at hand to
stop the progress of the mischief.
‘ ‘ It was also settled that the houses should no longer be contiguous, with slight
party walls to divide them ; but every house was to stand detached, surrounded
and insulated by its own inclosure. These regulations, it must be admitted, were
of public utility, and added much to the embellishment of the new city. But still
the old plan of Rome was not without its advocates. It was thought more con-
ducive to the health of the inhabitants. The narrowness of the streets, and
the elevation of the buildings, served to exclude the rays of the sun ; whereas
the more open space, having neither shade nor shelter, left men exposed to the
intense heat of the day
Jerusalem (for comparison).
“Tacitus has described the city of Jerusalem and the Temple ; but perhaps,
with the advantage of D’Anville’s plan, a more distinct idea of the place may now
be given. The city stood upon two hills, namely, Mount Sion to the south, and
Aera to the north. The former, being the loftiest, was called the upper, and
Aera the lower city. The walls of each were washed on the outside by a broad
8 Annals of Tacitus, xv. 43.