International Superhighways

Another major engineering feat of the Roman Empire was a system of international superhighways.  They are all over Europe.  I walked on Roman roads while I was in England, and while I was Milan.  The most famous, which I walked on while walking around the Forum, was the Appian Way.  It went all the way from Rome to Brindisi, which is interesting because it is one of the two major port cities from which you can depart by overnight ferry for Albania (among other destinations).  I almost went to Albania via Brindisi, but ended up leaving much further north, from Bari, because the schedule worked better.

This is a very excellent video talking about the Appian Way.  (It is 6:12 minute video by WorldSiteGuides.)  It discusses the pruposes for the roads, the impact on the spread and preservation of the Roman Empire, and a discussion of some of the historical sites along the Appian Way.


I also found three very interesting and relevant history channel video clips about Roman highways.  You have to watch ads to see them, but they are quite good.  The first discusses the origin and plan of the highways.  The second talks about the Appian Way and about the engineering aspects of road construction.  The third.  talks about the purposes for the roads and the size of the massive undertaking.  If you click on this link for the first video, all three videos will play in order.  Otherwise, you can also click on this link for the second video, and on this link for the third.