or great drain, begun by Tarquin the Great, containing a large stream
of water rushing along, as it did over two thousand years ago, is
exposed to view at the east end of the Basilica Julia.
It was finished by Tarquin the Proud, B.C. 556 (Livy, i. 38, 55).
"Men spoke in admiration of the public sewers, too, a work more
stupendous than any, as mountains had to be pierced for their
construction, and navigation might be carried on beneath Rome; an
event which happened in the ædileship of M. Agrippa, after he had
filled the office of consul." (See Dion Cassius, "Augustus," A.U.C.
721.)
"For this purpose there are seven streams turned into the artificial
channels, and flowing beneath the city. Rushing onward, like so many
impetuous torrents, they are compelled to carry off and sweep away all
the sewerage" (Pliny, xxxvi. 24).