A large and grandiose water drainage main, the “Cloaca Maxima” descended the Argiletum (between the Esquiline and the Quirinal) and crossed the Nervan and Roman Forums (obviously, underground) bringing the waters from the surrounding mountains to the Tiber.
The outlet into the Tiber on its left bank can be seen near the ancient Aemilius bridge, known today as the “Ponte Rotto” (Broken Bridge).
This sewer is said to have been built by King Tarquinius Priscus and allowed draining and reclaiming the valley of the forum.
The extensive walls that are still visible seem, however, to belong to a renovation which took place in the 2nd century BC.
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