Roman Bridges - Hardcover

O'Connor, Colin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521393264 ISBN 13: 9780521393263

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1993

The Romans were the first great builders of bridges in the western world. Professor O'Connor, a civil engineer and expert in bridge construction, has examined a very large number of those bridges that still remain all over the Roman empire. In this book he presents a thorough listing and description of all known bridges, in many cases illustrating the construction of the bridges by his own photographs and sketches. Introductory chapters place the bridges in their geographical and historical contexts, with detailed maps of the empire-wide system of Roman roads and discussion of how these came to be constructed, and an investigation of the technology available to the Romans. Finally, in order to elucidate the principles used by the Romans in designing their bridges Professor O'Connor examines the proportions of the stone arches, and subjects the rules that emerge to modern structural analysis.

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Review:

"Roman Bridges is the first single volume in English offering a systematic treatment of Roman bridges, of all types, throughout the empire. O'Connor is an engineer himself, with considerable experience in bridge design and history, and hence he offers a valuable perspective on Roman bridges, which can be sensed throughout his book." Larry F. Ball, American Journal of Archaeology

Book Description:

Professor O'Connor, a civil engineer and expert in bridge construction, here presents a thorough listing and description of all the known bridges and aqueducts of the Roman empire, richly illustrated by his own photographs, maps and drawings. Introductory chapters set the bridges in their geographical and historical contexts, with discussion of the Roman roads and the technology available to the Romans. In conclusion the author examines the proportions of the stone arches and subjects the design rules that emerge to modern structural analysis.

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