Roman Roads All roads lead to Rome What

Roman Roads

All roads lead to Rome? • What do you think about this phrase? • With a partner discuss what you think this phrase means.

All roads lead to Rome

All roads lead to Rome

United States Interstates vs. Roman Roads

Construction of Roman Roads

Question • What building materials do you think that the Romans would have used to create their roads?

Roman Roads • Roman Roads were made up of four layers. • Each layer had a specific purpose and each layer added to the strength and stability of the roads.

Fossa • The first thing that the Romans did was dig a ditch (fossa). • Do you remember what the Cornelii family got stuck in on their way to Rome? • The ditch was usually about 15 inches deep but the depth may change according to the terrain.

Statument • The next layer of the Roman road is the statument. • The statuement was a layer of stones that were at least two inches in size.

Rudus • The next layer of the Roman road is the Rudus. • The statuement was a layer of concrete mixed with stones that were smaller than two inches in size. • The Romans had rediscovered concrete and used it in making their roads and buildings.

Nucleus • The next layer of the Roman road is the nucleus. • The nucleus is about 12 inches thick. • The nucleus is made up of small gravel and coarse sand.

Summum dorsum • The final layer is the summum dorsum. • The summum dorsum is the top surface of the road that is made up of stone slabs.

Roman road in Pompeii

Roman road in the Roman Forum