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RAINWATER HARVESTING IN THE TOWNS OF THE ROMAN PERIOD

I. Kozlowska

Abstract

The paper deals with the issue of collecting rainwater in Roman times on the example of two cities: Termessos and Phaselis. These cities are ruins located in the coastal area of the Antalia district in Turkey (Antalya Province in Turkey). In the 1st c. B.C. the Pisidian Termesoos and Phaselis - belonging to the Lycian federation - came under the rule of the Roman state, experiencing intense spatial development during this period. These towns represent two types of cities whose inhabitants had to adapt the urban structure to the conditions of the Mediterranean climate through the use of rainwater. Termessos - the mountain town was devoid of natural sources. Phaselis was a port city with access to fresh water. The aim of the conducted research was to determine the methods of providing drinking water to city dwellers of various terrain conditions and to demonstrate the impact of the adopted systems on the spatial and architectural solutions of both cities. The research method was a case study of two cities: Termessos and Phaselis, with architectural and urban structures typical of the Roman state. The conducted research indicated that water supply techniques have had a major impact on architectural and urban solutions adopted in the cities of ancient Rome, and the rainwater harvesting was one of the elements of a technology providing drinking water to residents during this period.

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