Roman Roads Flashcards
Groma
Equipment used by surveyor to plan out a straight road
Milestones
Showed travellers how far along a journey they were
What prevented flooding?
Slightly cambered surface + drainage ditches on either side
Footing
Base layer of Roman roads
Hardcore
Middle ‘filling’ of the road
Kerbstone
On either end of the surface layer
Benefits of Roman roads
- safer and quicker travel
- improved trade
- introduction of postal service
How would people travel along roads?
On foot, horse/donkey and cart
What did roads connect?
Towns, Roman army camps, harbours, fortresses
Why were Roman roads straight?
Connect towns by shortest possible route for quicker travel
Roman exports from Britain
Minerals (e.g., lead, silver, copper, iron, gold) oysters and wool products
Roman imports to Britain
Pottery, glassware, wine
Who built roads?
Soldiers
Original purpose of Roman roads
Move troops around, ensuring military control
Cursus publicus
- Imperial Post
- used for official government correspondence
