“All roads lead to Rome” is a
well-known colloquial saying that seems metaphorical, yet throughout the late Roman
Republic and the Roman Empire Rome was the center of an advanced infrastructure
system that spanned from Britain to Egypt and from the Carpathian Mountains to
the Pillars of Hercules. Over 50,000 miles of paved roads spanned across the
Mediterranean and Europe during the last Century B.C. to the decline of the
Western Roman Empire during the 4th and 5th centuries A.D.,
when a lack of maintenance led to many roads falling into disrepair. Despite
this, the durable building style of the Roman roadways allowed many of them to
survive until modern day. Indeed, in many places around Europe (most
prominently Italy and France), Roman roads are still used today.
The bulk of the building of was
done by the Empire’s full time soldiers, although some additional work was
carried out by private workers or slaves. To build the road straight and in the
right direction, the Roman surveyors used a tool known as a groma to measure a straight line. (A
picture is shown to the left.) When building the roadway, the workers first dug
down to either hard packed dirt or base rock. Sand would sometimes be added to
make the road more stable. In muddy or boggy places, animal skins and bundles
of sticks would often be placed to prevent the road from sinking. After this,
layers of crushed rock would be piled on, followed by gravel and mortar. Then a
layer of concrete was laid on. The Roman mixture of concrete was made of
volcanic ash, hydrate lime, and various rocks, and proved very strong. Finally,
smooth stones were placed on top with a slight crown for drainage, and set in
such a way that they fit together well. The roads were bordered with a stone
curb, and drainage ditches were usually on the side (although some designs have
drainage ditches in the center). In all, the roads’ base layers were a few feet
deep and of varying widths, usually from 20 to 40 feet wide. Archaeological
evidence near Pompeii has also suggested that the Romans put many white
seashells between the stones on the road to reflect the moonlight at night,
allowing travelers to see the outline of the roadway after dark. Furthermore,
the Roman roads were the superior transportation system that surpassed even
most modern American roads up until the early 20th Century. Overall,
the roads were built to be durable and ensure quick travel across the Empire.
At the height of the Roman
Empire, it is estimated that one could travel across the length of the Empire
in just a few months, a distance of a few thousand miles. The infrastructure
was also utilized by the military and government on a large scale. The advanced
roadways allowed armies to move quickly and efficiently, and news was able to
travel quickly. The Legions could move swiftly around the Empire to respond to
any threat. Throughout the late Roman Republic and Roman Empire, roads served
the military first and foremost, yet there were also many fiscal benefits
through improved trade. Foreign and exotic goods were able to make their way to
the heart of the empire with great speed. From silver and wool being brought in
from Britain, to cotton, spices, silk, slaves and exotic animals from the near
east, Africa, and Asia, the Roman infrastructure allowed for goods from all
across the Eastern Hemisphere to be available in the central Mediterranean.
The infrastructure of the Romans
was not limited to their paved roads. Romans also had running water in their
cities and public bath houses, both of which were supplied by aqueducts, which
brought water down from natural springs. These ancient plumbing systems still
exist in many places today. The Romans’ resourcefulness, ingenuity, and
efficiency were realized in many infrastructure projects. Bridges were also
designed to be very secure and durable. A bridge over the Danube River shown on
Trajan’s column had a wooded structure that was supported by a score of stone
piers. Many Roman bridges were built using stone arches and concrete, including
the Alcántra Bridge in western Spain, which still stands today. (A photograph
is shown to the left.) To build the bridges, wooden frames were constructed,
and then stones were placed with mortar. During the Gallic Wars between 55 and
53 B.C., Caesar built two bridges across the Rhine River near the modern day
Alsace region in France. These were built out of wood, yet were very sturdy and
durable. The speed with which these bridges were assembled, and their physically
stable design, proved to be a great engineering feat for the time.
Moreover,
the Roman infrastructure helped commerce to efficiently flow across Europe,
Asia, and North Africa, allowed military forces and envoys to travel quickly,
and provided a durable transportation system for even the average Roman
plebeian. The simple fact that many of these structures survive to modern day
(many in working order) is a testament to the mechanical inventiveness and
prowess of the ancient Romans. The structures were built not just to last, but
to endure.
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30 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/romans/roads_and_places/>.
Connolly, Peter. “The Roman
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Accessed 30 Mar. 2013.
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Accessed 30 Mar. 2013.
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Accessed 3 April 2013.
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