Madison Netel
All Roads Lead to Rome: The Transportation Revolution that United the World
Abstract
The great power responsible for driving the Roman Empire to extraordinary success was
their highly developed organizational ability, coupled with their technology and
engineering capabilities. Ancient Roman road construction was a form of technology.
Unthinkable tools, machines, and structures were conceived and constructed by leading
Roman engineers who were hungry for rapid expansion and protection, which later
became the key component for global dominance. Approximately 50,000 miles of roads
spanned the Roman Empire, spreading its legions, culture and immense influence
throughout the known world. Roman road building engineers subdued/shed public fears
of novelty, uncertainty, and impracticality, which identified them as conquerors and
problem-solvers. The fact that their infrastructures still stand and their techniques are still
practiced is a testament to astounding engineering feats. Undeniably, the network of
roads that radiated from Rome was the greatest engineering accomplishments of its time.
From Roman superior engineering and architectural capabilities, twentieth-century
engineers have manifested confidence and insight to solve today’s problems: severe
traffic congestion, interstate highway projects, speed limitations, and the potential for and
fascination behind eletro-magentic-powered transportation traveling at 800 miles per
hour.
Introduction
The Roman society, like any other, had its humble beginnings. The history of
their engineering abilities runs parallel with the history of their empire. As their
architectural and engineering techniques expanded, their history and reputation followed.
As people settled into villages, roads became a more formal network for transportation
and commerce, making giant cities livable and practical. The Romans were, of course,
not the first to unveil and practice many of their building philosophies; however, they
built like no other society before them. Their methods incorporated efficiency and
sophistication to construct a whole new look. With the rise of Caesar, Roman architecture
expanded and influenced building over the world. Unlike the Empire, though, Roman
influence continues.
Their labor continues to capture attention with its lasting grandeur in the same
way it did while under construction: “Superior engineering skills and architectural ideas
possessed by the Romans, and respected by others, allowed them to conquer, influence
and rule such a vast area of the world, for such an extended period of time” [2]. Civil
engineers’ everlasting techniques suggest that Roman ability and innovation was vast and
ever expanding, allowing for rapid expansion, regional development, and ultimately,
world power.
Roman architecture has stood as an everlasting symbol of what Rome once was,
and what the rest of the world is today. Roman architecture cannot be looked at as a mere
time period or cultural achievement, for it’s ramifications lie beyond culture and beyond
time itself. Roman architecture is not a variable, it is, and forever will be, a constant.
Background
For 2000 years, the ingenuity and wonder behind the Roman road system has
fascinated us. Unlike cultures before them, the Romans approached road building as an
architectural project- they understood inclines and declines, weight limits, and necessary
conveyances. With this knowledge, they built roads accordingly. Along with the
revolution in structure and design, the Romans were the first to use marble and stone.
Years of trial and error led to “multilayer roadbeds that were topped with soil and
crushed stone, packed with heavy rollers” [3]. The mortar mix the Romans used provided
a very strong foundation and support for the structures. The Romans’ vast building
supplies and their confidence in their abilities to use them were instrumental in their
architectural excellence.
The durability and beauty of their work speak for themselves two millenniums
after they were built. Their appeal and widespread use up to their day, is due largely to
their durability and efficiency, as evidenced by the roman architects. Today’s asphalt
roads are built using similar weight bearing methods by adding specially formulated tar
to improve the strength and durability of the roadway. The concept was to support a
structure spanning a distance. Roman architects were not concerned with embodying
innovative design; they were impressed with the practical advantages of the roads and the
greater amount of load it could support, sustain, and stabilize.
While Roman engineering principles date back two millennia, the Romans
revolutionized the way roads were used and in that changed the face of construction and
architecture. Historically, is clear that they “stood on the shoulders” of the Greeks.
Ancient Roman innovation piggybacked much arithmetic knowledge and science actually
developed by the Pythagoras. Unlike the Greeks, the Romans were not intimidated by
the curve. It not only took great skill, but the right kind of material and design to
construct the roads from Rome. The empire sprung off from Rome in every direction, on
land and sea. “All roads lead to Rome” was the case with roads such as the Via Appia.
The roads were so well built that many of them survive today as landmarks and remnants
of a vast empire. As the Empire expanded, so did the architecture, “The opening of the
world to Rome by conquest, power, and wealth was the beginning of a revolutionary
phase in which Roman architecture was remade” [3].
The Logic Behind the Project
Romans were born with the will to conquer the world- their network of roads was
one of the tools they used to satisfy their appetite. The expansion and protection of the
Roman Empire relied on its armies or highly organized legions: “Firm roads guaranteed
heavy troop movement toward operational areas and flexibility is critical to an efficient
defense” [4]. Although the roads were built for the primary function of military mobility,
they aided in trade, travel, cultural diffusion, and the spread of Christianity. Immediately
upon gaining possession of new territory, Roman engineers enhanced the region by
planning and building roads and bridges. “Romanizing” became the standard to keep
their friends close and enemies closer. Not only did their centralized road system promote
communication and fast access between the colonies and their newly established
governors, but it solidified Rome as the center of power. This hub-and-spoke model
projected regional control, which was essential to the growth of their wealth, security,
and control into Africa, Europe, and Asia Minor. This became the prototype for
competition and domination. Roman enemies were eternally fearful of the empire as the
roads had a lasting and powerful presence. It quickly became clear that the road system,
coupled with their militia, was not just a show of power in it’s grandeur. Roads were
effective for quick military access, which would surely keep the new colonies under
control: “The power of the Empire rested with the success of the Roman army” quoted in
the History Channel Documentary” [4]. Once conquered people realized Roman
sophistication and brutal capabilities, they were less likely to revolt. Roman engineering
superiority, as immediately evident by their sophisticated road system, instilled and
maintained fear and respect.
Masters in Disguise
Every great empire confers with a marvelous city and Rome was no exception.
Clearly, the sophisticated innovation and project execution birthed a steadfast empire
whose magnitude and greatness has been unrivaled, but often dreamed of. Rome became
the center for trade, art, commerce, and law. Its uniqueness and destiny for greatness
came from its position as the capital of a huge empire, and even regarded as the capital of
the world as well. It did not represent the world’s people, but it definitely represented
what modern cities would look like and what a great city should be. The great power of a
centralized Rome was a product of their superior civil engineers. As important and
significant as the Roman architecture itself, the amazing feats of culture lie within the
Roman builders- the true “Renaissance men” of their time. In order to build such a
complex system, Roman engineers had to be masters of geometry (the mathematical
study of properties and relations of points, lines, surfaces, solids, and dimensions),
geology (the scientific study of Earth’s structure and substance), pedology (the scientific
study of soils in their natural environment), climatology (the scientific study of climate),
petrology (the scientific study concerned with rock composition), and sociology (the
study of human society). Engineers not only had to be great scientists but they had to be
great politicians. They had to agree on the material and dimensions in order to
standardize roadways, thereby defining the sizes and shapes of the various conveyances
and war machines that would use them. Roman engineers pioneered the concept of
standardization, a property we take for granted in 2013. However, standardizing the track
gauge for optimum inter-operability became the great grandfather of the American
railroad system. The width of the roads depended on the importance of the road. “Viae
Militares” were military roads built by the army, “Viae Publicae” were public roads built
by taxpayers or war booty, “Acti” were minor roads built by local assemblies, and “
Privatae” were built by individuals, for access throughout their property. Periodic widths
of 9-20 feet were installed to allow carts to drive past each other in opposite directions.
As seen in figure 1, road edges were lined with stones, which could act as steps to allow
narrow or mountainside transit.
Figure 1: fundamental details of the roman road
Construction and Consequent Problems
“Construction began by laying debris over a flat surface to provide a solid
foundation and drainage system. A two-foot layer of sand and clay was then laid on top
of this and covered by the road surface itself. If available, large stone slabs were laid out
with a curved convex surface” [5] also seen in figure 1. Roman engineers, however, did
not stop with just paving roads. Crowning (drainage system) became an important
breakthrough for road maintenance and protection. Roads were elevated in the middle to
allow water to run off the sides into the gutters they built for drainage along the
shoulders. Their most incredible engineering feat was how well the roads were built to
adapt, but such materials and ideal conditions were not always available.
Engineering problems (drainage, hydraulics, and altered construction methods
using wood beams and rails) frequently arose. These obstacles necessitated an integrated
engineering approach. The Romans conceived the entire idea of transit through the lens
of problem-solving based engineering. Their goal was to create and construct objects that
utilized materials and the real world to accomplish certain tasks successfully. Roads were
needed to prevent other civilizations from competing for global domination. Engineering
is therefore one of the most practically applied sciences for its problem-solving approach.
Such scale of the Roman roadway project necessitated the utilization and integration of
various engineering disciplines.
Romans were Problem Solvers
The Romans were the first ancient culture to build paved roads, encouraging the
exchange of ideas, culture, religion, goods and services. Roads connected civilizations by
the hub-and-spoke model, which emphasized Rome’s centralized power. Wellconstructed roads saved time and costly military intervention. Instead, Romans used
roads as a platform for trade between conquered people and the rest of the known world.
An Italian olive grower could now sell his olives from his village and from Rome,
encouraging other merchants to sell from Rome and double their profit. Given the perils
of land travel, their exceptional network of roads was unparalleled in convenience and
was often the only choice for travel or shipping goods, making it the largest trading post
at the time. Sturdy roads subdued previous apprehensions regarding limited daylight,
directions, tipping over, breaking down, and unsuitable weather conditions. Confidence
in their technology and technique allowed Romans to ship goods without geographical
restraint. “All roads lead to Rome” was the phenomenon that tied the commercial world
together.
Conclusion
Architecture was the greatest advancement of the Roman era. Rome’s ability to
challenge and change the precedents was the key to the Roman Empire’s greatness.
Rome’s ability to spread its empire with minimum supplies and efficiency can all be
attributed to the advancement in engineering techniques. Economic advantages were just
one effect of the Roman roadway project. As the project expanded, territorial possession
followed. Though Romanization, they were able to focus on technological advancements
in transportation, commerce, communication, and war that dwarfed civilizations hundreds
of years ahead of them. This fact alone is a vivid reminder of the accuracy and efficiency
of Roman engineering, where no challenge was insurmountable for the developers. While
it is valid to say that Roman architecture expanded as the Roman Empire did, it might do
more just to say that the advancements in architecture led to the advancement of the
Roman Empire. Their knowledge is often taken for granted. But we must keep in mind
that their engineering capability created an empire, which exerts its influence on our
current society- 2000 years after their fall. Architecture did not win the empire for Rome,
but it enabled the brilliant military minds and emperors to spread their power much more
easily and efficiently.
Works Cited
[1] B. Alkire, “Road to the Future,” Michigan Technological University, Professional
Dissertion
[2] C. Szacz, “The Influence of Roman Engineering and Architecture,” Mcgill School of
Architecture Magazine [Online]. Available:
http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/sijpkes/arch304/winter2001/cszasz/u1/roman.htm
[3] S. Abrams. (2013, May 16). The Unseen Hisotry of Our Roads [Online]. Available:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/the_road_ahead/The-Road-Ahead-Road-Evolution
[4] History Channel. Mankind the Story of All of Us [Online]. Available:
http://www.history.com/shows/mankind-the-story-of-all-of-us/videos/mankind-the-storyof-all-of-us-roman-roads
[5] G. Milani-Santarpia. Roads in Ancient Rome [Online]. Available:
http://www.mariamilani.com/ancient_rome/rome_building_roads.htm