08 Book Reviews
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Book Reviews
attained if Jufre-Garcia had collaborated with historians focusing on Renaissance technology in Spain. Antoni Roca-Rosell, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – Barcelona Tech
Ignacio González Tascón and Isabel Velásquez. Ingeniería romana en Hispania. Historia y técnicas constructivas. Madrid: Fundación Juanelo Turriano, 2005. Pp. 542. j50. Ignacio González and Isabel Velázquez take the reader on a journey through time and space as they describe Roman engineering in Hispania. First, they show and explain a large number of materials and works, and then define over 1,500 Latin terms to their topic. After a brief history of Hispania, the authors’ first chapters provide examples and narratives of authorities in ancient architecture, such as Vitruvius, pointing out the development of materials and construction techniques. Subsequent chapters concern the planning and building of numerous works; from roads, their pavements and wells to aqueducts, ports and domes. However, this is not a kind of catalogue. Rather the authors write with a smooth and pleasant pen, which is well illustrated in their description of the technical importance of the keystones to make sturdier arches, as well as in their explanation of the development and application of concrete and other materials. Moreover, the author’s take the reader on a trip, if you will, from one city to another, where seeing these works permits one to know something about everyday life, as well as the economic and political configuration of Hispania. They reveal the existence of specialized technicians who met the different needs of Hispania. For example, they offer a careful description of the steps needed to perform a hydraulic work which includes location of sources, the design of methods to deal with topography and distance, concern for the durability of the structure and, if the water was intended for human consumption, the purity of the liquid. Thus, Roman engineering is reflected in this book not only through their material works, but also equally through durable prints that act as words. The Latin terms that accompany the reading help us to know the names of ancient cities and workers at each stage of construction. There is a very large glossary of people and their activities in civil engineering, the entries of which are, in most cases, accompanied by a quotation in Latin and Spanish that illustrates more about the use. This study is supported by direct observation, review and analysis of material remains and an extensive bibliography of ancient narratives and contemporary studies. The photographs and other images are of high qual-