Roads were very important to Rome. They were so important because in an enormous empire,such as Rome, they needed a way to get from place to place in a timely manner.The roads provided fast and easy access to many miles of territory. All the labor done on the roads was done by the Roman soldiers.
There were many steps required in the building of the Roman roads. It was a long process, but it still benefits us today. Here is a list of what was required of the roads of Rome...
"*Roman roads were generally laid out in a straight line ( although they sometimes followed natural curves )
*Ancient surveying techniques using 'Sighting Marks' were used
*The ground was cleared of any trees
*A trench where the road was to go was dug and then filled with big stones creating an embankment
*Roads were generally built on top of an embankment ( called an Agger ). Romans were the first to build roads on this foundation basis
*The foundation, or Agger, contained a layer of rubble with stones which were laid in such a way as to provide drainage
*A middle section consisting of a layer sand or gravel and sand was laid on the foundation
*The top surface of the roads were paved roads with gravel or flint and small broken stones
*There were ditches on either side so water could drain away
*Road widths measured between 8 and 40 feet - wide enough to take a Roman chariot with two horses
*There were even lay-bys allowing other chariots past!"(source)
The roads consisted of three layers. There was the foundation, which was usually made of stone. There was a middle layer, which was made of sand or gravel. And the surface was made of gravel or paving stones. The most top layers of the roads were laid more carefully and were made with finer materials.
The most important thing about the foundation of the Roman roads is its ability for drainage. If the foundation was not able to drain, the road would eventually become uneven. To encourage runoff, the roads were peaked in the center with sloping sides. The roads were also built in very straight paths. For example, if there was a swamp or mountain, rather than going around it, the Romans would build right through them.
The Via Appia (Appian Way) is known to be the most important road in Rome. It is also known as The Queen of Roads. It connected Rome with Brindisi and Apulia(which are located in Southwestern Italy).
"The Roman army, for its success, depended on the use of highways to prepare for battle and to afterward refresh and re-equip. The specific Via Appia was used as a main route for military supplies for many years from the middle of the 4th century BC. Bases allowed the Romans to keep large numbers in the field waiting for the opportunity to strike. In the late Republic the Romans were masters of road construction, but this art was not yet in their repertory until their territory expanded. The few roads outside the early city were Etruscan and they were not used to connect bases or supply troops."(source)
There were many steps required in the building of the Roman roads. It was a long process, but it still benefits us today. Here is a list of what was required of the roads of Rome...
"*Roman roads were generally laid out in a straight line ( although they sometimes followed natural curves )
*Ancient surveying techniques using 'Sighting Marks' were used
*The ground was cleared of any trees
*A trench where the road was to go was dug and then filled with big stones creating an embankment
*Roads were generally built on top of an embankment ( called an Agger ). Romans were the first to build roads on this foundation basis
*The foundation, or Agger, contained a layer of rubble with stones which were laid in such a way as to provide drainage
*A middle section consisting of a layer sand or gravel and sand was laid on the foundation
*The top surface of the roads were paved roads with gravel or flint and small broken stones
*There were ditches on either side so water could drain away
*Road widths measured between 8 and 40 feet - wide enough to take a Roman chariot with two horses
*There were even lay-bys allowing other chariots past!"(source)
The roads consisted of three layers. There was the foundation, which was usually made of stone. There was a middle layer, which was made of sand or gravel. And the surface was made of gravel or paving stones. The most top layers of the roads were laid more carefully and were made with finer materials.
The most important thing about the foundation of the Roman roads is its ability for drainage. If the foundation was not able to drain, the road would eventually become uneven. To encourage runoff, the roads were peaked in the center with sloping sides. The roads were also built in very straight paths. For example, if there was a swamp or mountain, rather than going around it, the Romans would build right through them.
The Via Appia (Appian Way) is known to be the most important road in Rome. It is also known as The Queen of Roads. It connected Rome with Brindisi and Apulia(which are located in Southwestern Italy).
"The Roman army, for its success, depended on the use of highways to prepare for battle and to afterward refresh and re-equip. The specific Via Appia was used as a main route for military supplies for many years from the middle of the 4th century BC. Bases allowed the Romans to keep large numbers in the field waiting for the opportunity to strike. In the late Republic the Romans were masters of road construction, but this art was not yet in their repertory until their territory expanded. The few roads outside the early city were Etruscan and they were not used to connect bases or supply troops."(source)
Barnett, Mary. Gods and Myths of the Romans: the Archaeology and Mythology of Ancient Peoples. Smithmark Publishers. New York. 1996
Hadas, Moses. Imperial Rome. Time Inc Publishers. Canada 1965
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