Roman roads weren’t so straight after all

Recent research challenges the notion that Roman roads were uniformly straight, a common belief held by many, including academics. Tom Brughmans of Aarhus University in Denmark, along with his team, conducted a digital reconstruction of the extensive ancient road network, revealing that these roads were not as straight as previously thought.

The study, which analyzed a map of the Roman road network covering nearly 300,000 kilometers in length, found that roads were mostly straight only in regions where the landscape permitted, such as lowland areas in western Europe and North Africa.

In mountainous regions, Roman roads were less straight, attributed to topographical challenges and technological limitations. The modern transport network, on the other hand, tends to be straighter, designed for rapid travel by car. The research also revealed that around 90% of Roman roads were constructed with a slope gradient allowing animal-driven carts and wagons to pass, including those traversing the Alps.

This suggests the Romans prioritized maintaining and improving overland accessibility and connectivity across their vast empire.

However, the proverb "all roads lead to Rome" may not be entirely accurate. Provincial capitals often served as key crossroads, mediating overland communications within their respective provinces. Major public and military roads functioned as crucial communication arteries, facilitating the movement of goods, people, and ideas at a provincial level.

The study also highlights that while some post-Roman cultures preserved the same roads and routes into modern times, others did not. The reasons for this variability could range from historical events like the industrial revolution to local decisions, such as a town's choice not to have a railway station, leading to gradual depopulation and decreased investment in road infrastructure.