Robbie commented on the article in 040617 MMDigest:


>>[ Visible is a corner of a sea, with fishing boats, and an imposing
>>[ church dominating the town.  In the background is a two-level
>>[ Roman aqueduct, which seems out of place at a sea or lake!
>>[ I will place the photo of the painting at the MMD Pictures site,
>>[ http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/


I don't know what the scene depicts, but the aqueduct is plausible.
The idea was to bring clean water down from the mountains by gravity
at a gentle slope.  The aqueducts ran mostly underground, but were
supported on those classic arches when low terrain had to be traversed.

Gravity-powered water distribution systems are still in use: New York
City has one.

Mark Kinsler

 [ Of course!  Maybe the scene is a Meditteranean seaport.  -- Robbie