1Engineering the Ancient Superhighways
Over 2,000 years ago, the Romans created a massive network of roads covering more than 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers). These weren't just simple dirt paths; they were masterpieces of engineering that acted as the superhighways of the ancient world. To build them, workers first dug deep trenches and filled them with layers of sand, gravel, and large volcanic stones. This clever layered design acted like a modern drainage system, allowing rainwater to run off so the roads stayed dry and strong even during heavy storms.
2The Secret of the Straight Line
One of the most amazing things about Roman roads is how straight they were! Roman engineers used a special tool called a "groma" to help them sight long, perfectly straight lines across the landscape. By avoiding unnecessary curves, they created the shortest possible routes between cities. This was vital for the Roman postal service and official messengers. On these straight, smooth paths, a messenger on horseback could travel up to 50 miles in a single day, which was incredibly fast for that time!
3A Lasting Legacy of Trade
While the roads were originally built to help the Roman army march quickly to defend the borders, they soon became the heartbeat of the empire's economy. Traders used the routes to transport luxury goods like silk from the East, spices, and grain to feed the people of Rome. These roads were so well-constructed that many modern roads in Europe and Britain are built directly on top of the original Roman foundations. When you travel through Italy today, you might be driving on a route planned by an engineer thousands of years ago!
