Via Appia

 

Stretching over 120 miles and beginning from the Roman Forum in Rome to Brindisi, the Via Appia is the most important of the longest roads in the Roman republic and later on empire.

From its name, the Via Appia’s construction was initiated by Appius Claudius in 312 BC. Appius Claudius was a man of the commoners, advocating for the people. In his bid to make livelihood better for the populace, he built an aqueduct - the Aqua Appia to supply water to Rome. Also not waiting for the senate of the then Roman Republic, he started the Via Appia.

Prior to the Via Appia, Romans have been having difficulty in defeating and subjugating their jealous neighbors; the Samnites. One of the draw backs was supplying and transporting their troops over a long distance and crossing the pontine marshes. The pontine marshes was between Rome and Capua, it was a swamp infested with malaria. 

With the construction of the Via Appia and its subsequent extension, in 311 BC, Rome defeated the Samnites in the 2nd Samnite war.

Close to the end of the Republic, so many roads have been constructed all beginning at Rome. Hence the saying , “All roads leads to Rome.” The Appia Tirana is the course added to the Via Appia by emperor Trajan. 

Via Triana

Around 71 BC, Spartacus was defeated. He and his army were crucified along the road. A battle occurred along the Via Appia in WWII and was used as a marathon course in the 1960 olympics. So many other important events and sights line the Via Appia up till today.

Being one of the earliest and important in the transport of military force, the Via Appia became one of the basis of the spread of cultures and others in the Roman Empire which was founded in 27 BC.

Did I remember to add...Appius Claudius later became a censor and then an adviser to the government.