Much of what historians know about Rome’s road system comes courtesy of a single artifact.
They allowed the Romans to fully map their growing empire.
Roads of rome 4 level 29 free#
Like modern highways, Roman roads were not always free of charge, and troops were often waiting to levy fees or taxes on goods whenever the route reached a bridge, mountain pass or provincial border. To combat the activities of thieves and highwaymen, most Roman roads were patrolled by special detachments of imperial army troops known as “stationarii” and “beneficiarii.” These soldiers manned police posts and watchtowers in both high traffic and remote areas to help guide vulnerable travelers, relay messages and keep an eye out for runaway slaves. Each “mansio” offered basic lodgings for people and their animals as well as a place to eat, bathe, repair wagons or even hire a prostitute.Ī view of a paved intersection of the ancient Roman roads in Leptis Magna, Libya, the largest city of the ancient region of Tripolitania, pictured in May 2000. Along with the more common “mutationes,” travelers could also expect to encounter roadside hotels, or “mansiones,” roughly every 20 miles. By stopping off at multiple posthouses, couriers could move as far as 60 miles in a single day. Switching horses was especially important for imperial couriers, who were tasked with carrying communications and tax revenues around the Empire at breakneck speed. These simple posthouses consisted of stables where government travelers could trade their winded horse or donkey for a fresh mount. The most common of these ancient rest stops were the horse changing stations, or “mutationes,” which were located every 10 miles along most routes. They included a sophisticated network of post houses and roadside inns.Īlong with road signs and mile markers, Roman roads were also lined with state-run hotels and way stations. Cast from gilded bronze, this monument listed the distance to all the city’s gates and was considered the convergence point of the Empire’s road system. To embody the idea that “all roads lead to Rome,” the Emperor Augustus even saw that a so-called “golden milestone” was placed in the Roman Forum. They also provided information on when the road was built, who constructed it and who last repaired it. Much like the road signs on modern interstates and freeways, these stone pillars gave the distance to the nearest town in Roman miles and instructed the traveler on the best places to stop. They were easy to navigate.Īs the made their way down one of Rome’s many roadways, weary travelers could guide themselves by a detailed collection of mile markers. Roads were built with a crown and adjacent ditches to ensure easy water drainage, and in some rainy regions they were even nestled on raised berms known as “aggers” to prevent flooding.Ģ008 Proposition 8 is passed in California, banning same-sex marriage 4. Finally, the surface layer was constructed using neatly arranged blocks made from gravel, pebbles, iron ore or hardened volcanic lava. This was followed by foundation layers of crushed rocks or gravel cemented with lime mortar.
The bottom section of the road was usually made of leveled earth and mortar or sand topped with small stones. Crews began by digging shallow, three-foot trenches and erecting small retaining walls along either side of the proposed route. Roman builders used whatever materials were at hand to construct their roads, but their design always employed multiple layers for durability and flatness. Britain’s Fosse Way, for example, only veered a few miles off course over its entire 180-mile distance. Even in instances where the road was forced to divert from its course, the Romans typically opted for sharp turns and switchbacks over sweeping curves to preserve their arrow-straight design. The resulting roads often shot straight up steep hills, and small bridges and tunnels were built to ensure the path could traverse rivers or pass right through mountains. Land surveyors, or “gromatici,” began the building process by using sighting poles to painstakingly chart the most direct route from one destination to another.
Since Roman roads were designed with speed of travel in mind, they often followed a remarkably straight trail across the countryside.
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