I am a big Monty Python fan and although the Holy Grail is probably my favourite film, I do have a soft spot for the Life of Brian – probably their most ‘accessible film’. One of the classic sketches from the film revolves around a meeting of the Judaea Popular Front (or is it the Popular Front of Judaea).
Any way the question posed is ‘what did the Romans ever do for us’? Unsurprisingly there follows quite a big list of achievements including sanitation, heating, water – you get the idea.
As I was looking out of my window in Florence this morning I realised what a massive impact the humble pan tile has had on the world – you can’t go anywhere in southern Europe without seeing them. Their red wavy form defines certain city vistas (including this one) and they are such a simple form – pure genius.
So this is certainly something positive from the Romans!
