How did Romans get ice?

[Big Mike]

This has been burning a hole in my little brain ever since Atia said she was going to send "six buckets of ice to Caesar."

Aside from going up to Norway, racing down on a chariot with a huge boulder only to end up in Rome with a handful of icecubes, I can't see how they did it. At first I thought they might have made some kind of refrigeration system. Even Sue googled! Nothing!

For those not familiar with Roman history [according to HBO], I provide a short backstory [2 min.]: short backstory (http://www.extrasuperactionshow.com/shows/87-ESAS-Rome.mp3)

I can't take the burning in my head any longer. Someone tell me how they did it!!

[mediamogul]

God I love that show! I was so sad that they had repeats on last nite...

Anyhow..some ice and ice cream roman style...

Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar, ruler of ancient Rome from 54-68 A.D., was often thought the first to enjoy ice cream. He had snow carried from the Alps by runners. The snow was then flavored with fruit juices, honey, or wine and served to his guests.

Even when snow was not available Romans could make ice. They had already discovered the right procedure: they would boil up water and would then take it to extremely cold underground rooms where the steam would freeze up on the rocks.

I remember, I was there in one of my lives...