Aerial view of roman road / Photo: G. Amtmann, LVR Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments in the Rhineland
As the transport arteries of a vast empire, the Romans' long-distance roads ensured the cohesion and administration of their extensive territory. Originally built primarily for military and administrative purposes, the viae publicae connected military installations, cities and larger settlements. But soon, flourishing trade brought bustling activity to the long-distance roads. The scene was a colourful one: here a marching military unit, there convoys of busy traders transporting their goods to the markets on ox and mule carts, wealthy private individuals travelling in comfortable carriages or sedan chairs, or administrative officials in light, single-axle carts. And in the middle of it all: crowds of ordinary people travelling on foot to their destinations.
Aerial view of roman road / Photo: G. Amtmann, LVR Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments in the Rhineland
Not only on the roads themselves, but also to the right and left of the Roman highways, activity developed: rest houses, sometimes equipped with bathing facilities, were a matter of course for Roman travellers. Most travellers also needed stables where fresh horses or other draft animals were provided. Customs and checkpoints were located at regular intervals, and there was even a kind of guidance system: milestones provided information about the distance to the next major city. In addition, civil settlements developed over time at crossroads or river crossings.
Excavations at the road station near Aldenhoven / Photo: S. Jenter, LVR Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments in the Rhineland
Superior engineering combined with Roman organisational talent: with their largely straight course, impressive bridges and tunnels, and efficient road maintenance, the long-distance roads heralded a revolution in mobility. The Romans planned the course of their roads to be straight as far as possible. Even in hilly and mountainous terrain, this principle was largely adhered to through the construction of bridges and tunnels. Only significant gradients were overcome by means of elaborate serpentines. A typical road structure often consisted of a packing layer of vertically arranged quarry stones, onto which a sand-gravel mixture up to 20 cm thick was applied, followed by a 5 cm thick wearing surface.
Road section at Heidenköpfe hills / Photo: R. Smani, LVR Office for the Preservation of Archaeological Monuments in the Rhineland
Wine from Italy, oil from Spain, or luxury goods such as amber, gold, and ivory: trade flourished on the long-distance roads, and even remote regions were able to develop economically. In addition to the long-distance roads, waterways also played a significant role: a large part of bulk goods and heavy goods transport was carried out by water.
Marching kit / Photo: Municipality of Nettersheim
Selection of Roman emergency money. Photo: J. Vogel / LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn.
In 2017, metal detectorists found a large quantity of Roman coins between Welldorf and Jülich in the district of Düren. (Source: Archaeology in the Rhineland)