Spain’s love of construction work is nothing new. Looking back, we discover that even in Roman times, our country was a hive of infrastructure projects. The Romans arrived on the Iberian Peninsula and the first thing they thought was: “We need to bring some order here.” And, being good engineers, they got down to work—literally.
Roman roads, such as the famous Via Augusta, crossed the entire territory, linking cities and allowing a constant flow of troops, goods, and neighborhood gossip. If the Romans taught us anything, it is that with patience and good paving stones, anything can be built. They also left us impressive monuments, such as Segovia’s aqueduct and Mérida’s Roman theater, still standing after two thousand years—which, when you think about it, is quite an achievement compared with some modern constructions that cannot last even a decade without repairs.
But not everything was wonderful in Roman times. They had their budget and delay problems too, although instead of citizens’ protests, they had gladiators. When the emperor ordered a project, you had better have it ready on time, or you might end up fighting a lion in the amphitheater. Highly effective workplace motivation, although not particularly ethical by today’s standards.