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The Roads of Ancient Rome
This infographic illustrates the typical structure of Roman roads, one of the most enduring engineering achievements of the ancient world. While the Romans are credited with revolutionizing road construction, they likely adopted many foundational techniques from the Etruscans and refined them over time. As the empire expanded, Roman engineers incorporated methods and materials from local cultures, adapting their designs to different terrains while maintaining a standardized core structure.
At its height, the Roman road network stretched over 85,000 kilometers (53,000 miles), linking the vast territories of the empire—from Britain to Mesopotamia, and from the Danube to Spain and North Africa. These roads were built primarily by the Roman military using layered stone, gravel, and sand, with drainage systems and milestone markers. Despite regional variations, the core principles—durability, directness, and efficiency—ensured that the roads served not only military logistics but also trade, communication, and administrative control for centuries. Many Roman roads remained in use well into the modern era.
