Appian Way
Ancient Roman road
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Key Takeaways
- The Appian Way (Latin and Italian: Via Appia ) is one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic.
- Its importance is indicated by its common name, recorded by Statius, of Appia longarum.
- The road is named after Appius Claudius Caecus, the Roman censor who, during the Samnite Wars, began and completed the first section as a military road to the south in 312 BC.
- Origins Development The Appian Way was a Roman road that the Republic used as a main route for military supplies for its conquest of southern Italy in 312 BC and for improvements in communication.
- The few roads outside the early city were Etruscan and went mainly to Etruria.
The Appian Way (Latin and Italian: Via Appia) is one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic. It connected Rome to Brindisi, in southeast Italy. Its importance is indicated by its common name, recorded by Statius, of Appia longarum... regina viarum ('the Appian Way, the queen of the long roads'). The road is named after Appius Claudius Caecus, the Roman censor who, during the Samnite Wars, began and completed the first section as a military road to the south in 312 BC.
In July 2024, the Appian Way entered the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Origins
Development
The Appian Way was a Roman road that the Republic used as a main route for military supplies for its conquest of southern Italy in 312 BC and for improvements in communication.
The Appian Way — essential to the Romans — was the first long road built specifically to transport troops outside the smaller region of greater Rome. The few roads outside the early city were Etruscan and went mainly to Etruria. By the late Republic, the Romans had expanded over most of Italy and were masters of road construction. Their roads began at Rome, where the master itinerarium, or list of destinations along the roads, was located, and extended to the borders of their domain, hence the expression, "All roads lead to Rome".
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