Hydraulic Concrete Innovation

The Romans invented and revolutionised many innovations and technologies. Although, of all of these innovations and technologies, hydraulic cement-based concrete is one of the only to have greatly helped many in the ancient world, whilst remaining unchanged to help those in the modern world. Hydraulic cement-based concrete is certainly the most significant ancient Roman innovation that has come to be. Ancient Roman concrete was significant as it allowed the ancient world to build greater infrastructure. This in turn vitally helped keep the everyday citizens of Rome working and helped revolutionise trade and many regions’ economies. Concrete also allowed long-lasting and important health systems, as well as security systems to be put into place

In fact, before the notable Roman innovation of concrete, security in Rome was not very strong, nor did walls help to prevent invasion. However, when concrete was invented by the ancient Romans, this all changed. Instead of house walls only being made from wood and plaster, they were able to be reinforced with concrete. This helped to prevent many robberies, as prior to the innovation of concrete, thieves in Pompeii and other parts of ancient Rome were able to use a drilling device and hefting of heavy rocks to break into a house through a wall. However, the innovation of concrete proved to be significant as it essentially stopped thieves from being able to break into houses through walls. This was due to ancient concrete being very durable, and much harder than any wood or plaster. On top of the use of concrete for the walls of houses themselves, the innovation of hydraulic cement-based concrete helped to keep ancient Rome’s enemies from invading the Roman empire. For example, before the notable innovation of concrete, walls such as Antonine Wall were simply made of wood and solid turf. Wood was seen to be a strong material at the time, however it was not nearly as strong as ancient concrete. This is why the tribal confederation, the Picts, were able to, “repeatedly break through and breach many ancient walls such as Antonine Wall.” However, with hydraulic cement-based concrete, ancient Roman walls were made to repel against over four times the force that of regular ancient wood and turf. In fact, it can be seen that Roman walls made from concrete were much harder to breach or penetrate, than walls made without concrete. For example, Hadrian’s wall, which was made next to Antonine Wall with stone and concrete, was able to stay in its original shape and not be breached, whilst Antonine Wall was