The Romans didn’t actually invent a lot of the things they’re famous for – sewers, roads, the alphabet and aqueducts were all advanced by the Romans rather than created – but none can doubt their claim to the hypocaust, an efficient form of underfloor heating. A furnace heats an open space below a floor supported by stacks of bricks, warming both tiles and feet.

They also pioneered an extremely durable and water-resistant brand of concrete, which has helped their temples and bathhouses stand for millennia and counting. It's not a coincidence that the Colosseum is still a proud part of Rome's skyline, while many more recent monuments have crumbled to dust.

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Surprising facts about Ancient Rome you probably didn't know