The finest roads in the ancient world were those built by the Roimanms. The first great road was planned i 312 B.C. From that time on, roads were constructed until they extended throughout all partys of the Empire. They were designed primarily for the movement of Roman armies, but quickly their use was extended; government officials, messengers, traders and travelers, citizens and foreighners, moved along these roads. During the greater part of the Middle Ages they remained the only roads of any real account; even today long stretches of these roads may be seen in different parts of Europe. In fact, not until railroads were constructed was there a better sysem of land communication than the Roman viae.
As far as possible the Romans laid out their roads in straight lines, usually disregarding the nature of the ground through which they were to run. Engineers broke through mountains and spanned rivers and valleys with bridges and viaducts.
The first of the great roads was the Via Appia, begun in 312 B.C. This began at the Porta Capena in the south-east of the city and ran as far as Capua; later it was extended to Brundisium, which was a port of embarkation on the south-eastern shore ofItaly for traders going to Greece, Macedonia and Asia Minor. The Roman poet Statius called the Via Appia "regina viarum." It was a stone causeway, wide enough to allow two broad wagons to pass each other. The surface was paved with flat blocks of hard stone laid close together. The middle of the road was higher than the sides, allowing rain-water to drain off.
The romans set up stone columns as milestones at intervals on one mile. These gave in numbers, usually preceded by the letters M.P. (milia passuum), the distance from the place from which the measurement was made. The construction and upkeep of the roads in Italy were provided for at the expense of the State Treasury. In the provinces the cost was generally defrayed out of the provincial taxes.
Travel on the public roads was facilitated by the establishment of posting-houses,where horses were changed and vehicles could be obtained and by resting-places, where a journey could be conveniently broken.
STREETS AND ROADS
Streetes were narrow and crooked often un paved. At coners, stepping stones
were placed at intervals to assist in crossing to the other side. Streets were
unlighted, and vigiles ( policemen - Firemen )
carring small lante4rs walked the dark alleys to afford protection.
The Rome onstruction an extensive system of highways connecting the principle cities of Ilatly with Rome. hence the expression " All rods lead to rome. " The most famous road was the Via Appia ( The Appian Way ) also called Regina Viarum conneting Rome with Brundisium on the southeastern coast of Italy. Other roads were the Via Flaminia, leading noetheast toward Umbria; and the Via Aurelia, a military road running along the waest coast toward Gual.