Transcript Roman Roads and Transportation

Roman Roads and
Transportation
Fred Bryant
Roman Roads
The Appian Way as it is today
Roman Roads are known for being very well made, in fact many could still be
used today. The engineers would dig a ditch and it would be filled with layers
of sand pebbles, etc. Then large stones would be placed on top and be
higher than the surrounding ground to allow for drainage. Many people were
buried along roads and there were benches with the deceased names on it
to provide rest for weary travelers. People were buried along the road so that
they would not be forgotten.
Transport by Road
A painting of a roman cart
Roman transportation by road was not as well liked as transport by sea.
The roads were very dangerous and there were very few inns to
stop at. The roads were used often to transport small things like
letters. With the superior roads it was possible to go up to 35 miles
in a day. For large items or large quantities it was often quicker and
more cost effective to go by water. There were no regulations on the
roads such as speed or which side traffic goes on.
Wagons
A carving of a Roman wagon pulled by elephants
Roman wagons were engineering marvels. They were
the basic design used until the middle ages, there is
evidence that the technology may have even been less
advanced after the fall of the Empire. The wagons were
used to transport goods and people. The wagons had
very advanced wheels, brakes, and even shocks
Horses
A painting of a horse
Roman’s heavily relied on horses for many facets of their lives
including transportation. Horses were used to transport carts and
wagons that carried letters, grain, wine etc. Horses were also
used to transport carts carrying people and military equipment
Footwear
A Roman boot and sandal
All Roman footwear was very similar. The two many categories
are boots and sandals. The design of the shoes is believed to be
borrowed from the Greeks. The soles were made up of two pieces
of leather with nails with the tips cut off places through the bottom
leather. There was usually intricate strap work used to hold the
shoe in place. Romans did a great deal of traveling by foot in
Rome because the roads were closed to wagons during the day.
Litters
A drawing of an Ancient Roman Litter
Litters were used by very rich Romans. Since wagons were
banned from Rome during the day due to congestion you would
have to walk around the city. Instead of do this it was fashionable
for rich Romans to get onto a litter and have slaves carry them
wherever they needed to go in the city
Transport by Sea
A Roman vessel that would be used to transport goods and people
Roman’s preferred transport by sea rather than by road. Going
long distances by sea was usually quicker and more cost effective
than taking a cart and going over the road. The roads were also
very dangerous places because there were bandits along the
roads that would mug and kill you. Also the few inns were dirty
and full of cutthroats and crooks.
Merchant Ships
An Artists portrayal of a merchant ship
Romans relied on merchant shipping to supply
them with many items. Ships were faster over
long distances and could carry considerably
more cargo then a cart. Rome relied on ships to
transport the 420,000 tonnes of grain needed
each year to feed the people of Rome.
Ports
A picture of Portus “The greatest man-made harbor of antiquity”
Trade by sea was vital to the Roman economy. It transported grain, wine
unload. Once ships got near the mouth of a port they would send for a rowboat
out to pull the ship in much like a modern day tugboat. The ships would be
pulled to shore where grain and other goods that were needed to keep the
Empire running were unloaded. Ports during the time of Rome were not very
good. Most were very small and a good number did not even have docks, ships
would have to land on the beach to pull them to shore where they would unload
their goods
Bridges
An Actual Roman Bridge today
Roman bridges are architectural masterpieces, with many of them still
standing today. Romans were the first ones to move from timber to
stone construction. They used the half circle to span spaces of up to
130 feet. The Romans would divert the water in the river and put
pilings in the dry river bed to support the bridge. The Romans used
no mortar to connect the two sides of the semi circle, they would
each support each others weight.