Roman forum

What have the Romans ever done for us? asked Reg in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, to galvanise his group into taking action against their oppressors.

The contribution of the Romans was brought up in discussions about Dunedin’s infrastructure yesterday.

Cr Lee Vandervis said London had old pipes and some dated back to the Roman Empire. The system seemed to be fine.

That prompted Cr Steve Walker to reference a Monty Python sketch: What have the Romans ever done for us?

Cr Carmen Houlahan said councillors had to accept the reality the Romans did not build Dunedin and upgrading the city’s infrastructure was essential.

"Within 400 years of the Romans leaving, the Britons had destroyed everything," Cr Jim O’Malley added.