Via Appia

Via Appia

The Romans built a truly amazing system of roads. The roads were built up to three feet deep, ran across difficult terrain, and still are in use today. The Roman army built nearly 50,000 miles of highways throughout the Roman empire, beyond Rome and Italy.

The Via Appia is Rome’s most famous road was built 312 BC and took its name from its builder, Appius Claudius. The Via Appia was about 130 miles, extending from Rome to Capua and was later expanded all the way across Italy to Brundisium (an important Roman seaport), over 200 miles away. Many parts of the Via Appia are still in use today.

Romands traveled with horses, mules, carriages, or walked. During a travel, a Roman may have to stay in a hotel. Unfortunately, the accommodations were usually bad. Wealthy Romans chose to stay in one of their villas, which he may have throughout Italy, and would share with his friends.

Waterways

At the time, travel by water was considered unsafe and therefore avoided, yet incredible amounts of money could be made in overseas trade. A Roman entrepreneur would put their fear aside and take their cargo to the unpredictable sea and its conditions. Roman ships didn’t have guidance, so they stayed as close to the islands as they could, for fear of the sea.