Is it true that firefighting was first known in the first century CE under Emperor Augustus?

The assertion about the origins of firefighting under Emperor Augustus is nuanced and relates to historical developments in fire management rather than a definitive start date. While Emperor Augustus did establish organized firefighting services in Rome, prior methods of fire control and management were in place long before his reign, especially in ancient civilizations. Evidence suggests that fire control in some form existed among various cultures, including the Romans before Augustus’ time.

Under Augustus, the creation of the “Cohortes Vigilum” in 6 CE marked the formal establishment of a firefighting organization within Rome, which greatly improved the city’s response to fires and set a precedent for organized fire suppression. This indicates that while Augustus played a significant role in formalizing firefighting, it did not originate in the first century CE solely due to his efforts.

Understanding this historical context shows how the development of firefighting evolved, with earlier practices existing and laying the groundwork for more structured approaches introduced in later periods.