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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 3, 2021 15:45:34 GMT -5
The Great Sewers of Rome Built : 100 BCE Funded by: Marcus Aemilius Lepidus the Elder. Tier I
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 6, 2021 8:36:00 GMT -5
Upon the completion of the sewers, which ran from Rome to Ostia to be discharged in the sea Lepidus spoke with the man in charge of constructing this great marvel of engineering. Lepidus had given clear constructions upon how to build such a marvel. The sewers had to be able to resist the test of time. Three men, side by side should be able to travers the sewers with several entry points. Officially this was for maintenance and clearing purposes but onofficially this could act as entry point to the city. A select group of slaves was informed about the entry points so that they could go down in the sewers daily to inspect and where need be, clear the sewage of any waste that wouldn't be discharged by gravity. As the sewer was constructed with the same principles as aqueducts using the power of slopes to discharge unwanted waste into the sea at Ostia. It benefitted the health of the Roman people in the greater city of Rome greatly. Rome's many public baths and bathrooms were connected to the sewer system that would no doubt be expanded in the coming years.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 18, 2021 11:13:26 GMT -5
As aedile, it was Drusus job to inspect all public buildings and utilities, and the sewers were one of the most important in the city. He did not know much about them, but went around to find the steward in charge of repairs and upkeep. He wanted a full tour. As Lepidus proclaimed how much these new additions would help the people of Rome, Drusus wanted to see them himself.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 18, 2021 11:20:39 GMT -5
The sewer chief came to greet Drusus. He had been expecting a visit from an official from some time now. He had worked tirelessly to keep this great work functioning. With talks about a new water addition to Rome, the sewers would have more water to proces. The coming of Drusus was thusly fairly natural.
"Welcome Aedile" he sewer man said to the senator.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 18, 2021 11:37:34 GMT -5
"Salve, my good man." Drusus greeted him.
"As Senators and equites, the most well-to-do in Rome all are aware we have the best aqueducts and sewers in the world. But almost none of them ever come to see how they all work. And I am certainly and among all those Romans." He acknowledges.
" But I have become interested in how these sewers affect the least of the citizens who live here." He continues with a request. "I need a good tour of the sewers and an inspection as well."
"I hope you have all your figures ready, because I am prepared to ask many questions" Drusus smiles knowingly.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 18, 2021 13:02:11 GMT -5
The man nodded, somehwat nervously for this man of great office. "What would you wish to know?" the elder engineer asked. "Would you like to follow me into the main drainage pipes?"
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Post by rhapture on Oct 18, 2021 13:17:32 GMT -5
"Yes , let's start where the water comes in. And show me the new additions. And how the water is diverted through the city and finally emptied into the Tiber." Drusus answers. Luckily he has brought along a pair of extra long lamb skin socks to protect against the water.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 18, 2021 15:43:13 GMT -5
"If you would follow me" the young engineer said. They were top side at one of the building Lepidus built for service maintenance personnel. "Here we have on of our entrances" the young man named Decimus said. "we have around 15 entry points through the city, to have easy access to the tunnels for local repairs. The sven hills are all interconnected, where the highest hill is built for the largest diameter. This was gravity can push the water down." The young engineer proudly told the Senator as he guided the official into the system itself. The walls were made with fine stone, probably from the italic quarries made in an arch to be strong. In this part of the sewer some four men could be abreast. Other parts could only have two abreast.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 18, 2021 15:48:55 GMT -5
"Interesting, interesting." Drusus comments. "But I must say I am much more interested in where the sewers come down into Subura, the hills are well taken care of, I can attest to that." He admits. "How is the common man of Rome getting benefits out of this sewer system?" He asks.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 18, 2021 15:54:00 GMT -5
Decimus nodded as he was still very nervous to be in the presence of a Senator, in the stinky sewers no less. "Well you see sir, the sewage system connects to all public baths and toilets in the city." Extensive plans were being drawn up to expend the system further but so far funding had been dry as of late. Perhaps because the consul, Lepidus had been out of town after barely coming back to town. "I am still drawing up plans for Consul Lepidus to connect the sewers to all housing in the city, everything." decimus added.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 18, 2021 16:04:25 GMT -5
"I am sure individual plumbing for houses would be wonderful, good steward." Drusus commented, " But, so many live in apartments down in Subura, I am not sure how that would work."
"There are many bath houses and public fountains, which are public accessable I have heard. " He continues," But do is there a public waste disposal? Or are the streets cleaned each night with workers?" He asks
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 18, 2021 16:08:38 GMT -5
As Drusus and the official walked along, they would notice something that perhaps would not surprise them. Several conspicuously large brown sacks had been dumped into the sewage system, no doubt courtesy of some political scrap or gang feud. It seemed that the grateful citizens of Rome had already taken to using the Lepidan sewers as a dumping ground for their dead, with the large drainage works proving more inconspicuous for those who they did not wish found than simply rolling the bodies into the Tiber.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 18, 2021 16:41:08 GMT -5
" What is this?" Drusus exclaims as he goes to open the sacks. Unafraid after his experiences on the battle fields, he goes up quickly and pulls back the rope holding them tied.
"Body parts!" He shouts! "What in the name of Neptupe's posterior is going on down here!?!" He turns on the steward quickly. "I hope you have some kind of explanation!?" He says accusingly.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 19, 2021 3:16:41 GMT -5
"I am sure individual plumbing for houses would be wonderful, good steward." Drusus commented, " But, so many live in apartments down in Subura, I am not sure how that would work." " There are many bath houses and public fountains, which are public accessable I have heard. " He continues," But do is there a public waste disposal? Or are the streets cleaned each night with workers?" He asks Decimus noted. "We thought about making systems in the apartment blocks that collect the water, which would fill a block under the houses creating pressure to was into the sewer system itself. It's a marvel of engineering but requires a great deal of funds." Decimus knew Lepidus had been planning on extensions and made plans accordingly but the consul was sent to Illyria before such plans could be presented and brought to fruition. As Drusus and the official walked along, they would notice something that perhaps would not surprise them. Several conspicuously large brown sacks had been dumped into the sewage system, no doubt courtesy of some political scrap or gang feud. It seemed that the grateful citizens of Rome had already taken to using the Lepidan sewers as a dumping ground for their dead, with the large drainage works proving more inconspicuous for those who they did not wish found than simply rolling the bodies into the Tiber. As Decimus just finished up his story the men came across the sacks. The smell was penetrating and made Decimus nearly puke. " What is this?" Drusus exclaims as he goes to open the sacks. Unafraid after his experiences on the battle fields, he goes up quickly and pulls back the rope holding them tied. "Body parts!" He shouts! "What in the name of Neptupe's posterior is going on down here!?!" He turns on the steward quickly. "I hope you have some kind of explanation!?" He says accusingly. As Drusus opened the sacks Decimus could no longer hold it in and puked all over the place. Unlike Drusus, Decimus was not a hardened veteran. He had been a legionnaire alright but never went to battle before his engineering feats were discovered. As Decimus got a grip on himself, pale as a corpse he stuttered and said "... Sir ... I-i-I Don't know!" Decimus puked once more. Now really trying to get a grip Decimus made some assumptions "There are multiple points in the city made for entry of our service teams. Perhaps the locals found those entry points and decided to dump something else than ... piss and shit sir.." Decimus felt unwell, why did this happen?! He could forget about his job now he feared.
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Post by rhapture on Oct 19, 2021 6:30:44 GMT -5
"sir, please hold it together, " Drusus implored stoicicly "it is nothing more than a body". After the first seconds of anger, he regained his composure.
"Obviously, these sewers are not secured well enough each night". He continued. "First, get a member of your staff to get the vigilantes to come and get the body and begin an investigation. Next, you will hire guards for each entrance to the sewer for nightly duties. " He instructed the men. " You will also replace the doors with iron gates that are lockable". He nodded , mentally completing a checklist.
" I believe this inspection is over for now. But I will expect a written report about this incident and any future expansions planned for the cloacaes ". Soon the group was heading towards the nearest entrance. Drusus had more information that something was rotten in Rome besides this dead body
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