It's true that behind every prosperous country or city, there's good infrastructure. You might have a top-notch defense system, lots of resources, and a high literacy rate, but if you don't have proper infrastructure, you can’t survive for long.
Since we’re on the topic, do you know that a key element of a city or country’s infra is its roads? Yep, you read it right! One glimpse at the condition of roads in a city and draw a clear idea of how serious the government is about the country's development.
Setting the best example in the history of remarkable roads is Rome. Since ancient times, the city's highways and transportation system have been setting a benchmark for what real development should look like. They've always inspired people to create something extraordinary, something which lasts forever.
This is how Rome’s roads helped the city establish itself the greatest ruler in history.
Opened new doors for the military
The first major Roman road was the Appian Way, constructed in 312 B.C. Not only was it one-of-a-kind, it also served as a connector between Rome and its allies during the Second Samnite War. As the Roman military took over new places, they constructed new roads and linked the captured cities with the country. The more routes they created, the easier it became for Rome’s military to win wars as it saved the soldiers’ time and gave them ease of traveling quickly.
Efficiently Built
The main aim behind building roads in Rome was to lessen the traveling time, which is why most roads often followed a straight path across the countryside. When they were built, land surveyors used sighting poles to get an idea of the most direct and shortest paths. And when they found such a path, they removed all the obstacles in between. If there were a mountain in the way, they would create tunnels. If there were a river, they would make bridges.
Easy to navigate
Just like we use mile markers for indication, Romans also used road signs and mile markers. There were stone pillars placed in different areas along the roadways to guide travelers as to how far their destination was from the given spot. It also gave them information about the best places where they could stop while traveling. Plus, they also revealed the name of the person who built or repaired those roads.
Well-protected for people
The best thing about Roman roads was that they were well protected. Most of the time, they were patrolled by special groups called “beneficiarii” and “stationarii.” These soldiers looked over both busy and remote areas and saved travelers from thieves and highwaymen. They also charged people who were about to cross bridges or mountain passes the same way we pay toll charges today.
Wasn’t that interesting!
Now that you know how Rome's roads made it ultra-powerful, don’t you agree that roads are a critical component of a city or country’s basic infrastructure? Not only transform the look of a place, they solve major practical issues and improve the standards of living for the residents.