The Roman Roads were originally built for military transportation. They were used to get messengers and troops to all parts of the empire in the shortest amount of time.
The Via Appia was the first road built for specific military purposes Roman roads, especially the Appian Way, were extremely important to Rome for a multitude of reasons. For example, it allowed trade and access to the east, specifically Greece. Eventually, these roads helped Rome expand because of transportation and trade.
The Via Appia and other Roman Roads were built by Appius Clasuis Casecus. Appius Claudius Caecus was an outstanding statesman, legal expert, and author of early Rome, who was one of the first notable personalities in Roman history. Appius Claudius Caecus was also a well-known Roman poet. In addition, he completed the construction of the first Roman aqueduct, the Aqua Appia.
There were five steps to building these roads. The first step to construction was to clear the ground of rocks and trees so that they were able to dig a trench and fill it with big stones. They filled the first layer of the trench with big stones, pebbles, cement and sand which they packed down to make a firm base. Then, they added another layer of cement mixed with broken tiles. To make a smooth surface of the road, they then put paving stones on top of the other three layers. These stones were cut so that they fitted together tightly. To make a channel for water flow and to hold in the paving stones, kerb stones were put at the sides of the road.
The legacy of the Roman Roads can today be seen from space. Interestingly enough, the lights of thriving towns next to 2,000 year old Roman roads can still be seen by satellite images. Roman roads still act as an important structure for economic growth and activity. Techniques such as pillars for navigation signs are still used today. Roman Roads were used as the foundation for elaborate road systems, and in turn, the development of new settlements around them. The stable building technique is still used today in modern roads.
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