TechnologyEurope
The Roman roads
Eighty thousand kilometres of road, some still in use
See it on the timeline →In depth
The point was speed of information and troops: the imperial post could carry a message eighty kilometres a day with relays of horses. The network decayed after Rome's fall, and Europe did not regain comparable travel speeds until the railway. The same alignments lie beneath many modern European trunk roads, and London's street pattern still follows them.
For children
The Romans built roads in layers of stone, gravel and paving slabs on top, running straight through almost anything. Some are still in use. The roads were military first — but trade followed.
Connects to
Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org