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Some elements of the water supply system of the city of Perge, in the Roman Imperial period

par Debaste, Frédéric ;Haut, Benoît
Référence IWA Regional Symposium on Water, Wastewater and Environment: Traditions and Culture(22-24 March 2014: Patras, Grèce), Proceedings of the IWA Regional Symposium on Water, Wastewater and Environment: Traditions and Culture
Publication Publié, 2014-03-24

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Résumé :

In this paper, an overview of some elements of the water supply system operated in Perge during the Roman Imperial period is presented.The focus is given on a channel in the middle of the main colonnaded street, presenting a complex structure with obstacles every 7 meters. On the basis of an analysis of the flow of water in this channel, an interpretation of the motive of the presence of these obstacles is proposed. It is thought that they had the primary function to significantly increase the maximum water height in the channel (76 cm with the obstacles, 10 cm without). A high water level in the channel is indeed needed for the operation of derivations starting from the channel. Moreover, the calculated structure of the flow created by these obstacles highlights the cleverness of the Roman engineers, as well as the importance of water to satisfy the pleasure of the people.The south bath complex of the city is also briefly presented.