The Appian Way

The success of the Roman army was heavily dependent on the development of its roads. As the saying goes, “All roads lead to Rome.” The clever Romans used the construction of excellent roads as a tool to extend their power. This rapid and efficient transportation network was one of the greatest contributors to the Roman Empire’s ability to last for centuries.

The Appian Way (Latin and Italian: Via Appia; English: Appian Way) was a military highway commissioned by the Roman consul Appius Claudius. It was initially a military road connecting the cities of Rome and Capua, only 212 kilometers long. It was later extended by another 370 kilometers, all the way to the port of Brundisium. Roman soldiers on campaigns to conquer Egypt and Greece would depart from this road, and Christianity also entered Rome via this route. The Appian Way connected Rome to the port of Brindisi in southeastern Italy. After the defeat of the Spartacus rebellion in 71 BC, 6,000 captured slaves were crucified along this very road. The Appian Way was the first long-distance military road to extend outside of Rome, using the best engineering techniques of its time, and was called the “Queen of Roads” (Regina Viarum).

The Appian Way was made of flattened black basalt blocks, with other filler stones pressed and leveled. Although irregular in shape, each block has endured over 2,000 years, with all sharp edges worn smooth, making them flat and hard. The major roads in several Roman ruins I’ve visited are of this same type, the main difference being whether the stones are limestone blocks or black basalt. In Acts chapter 28, when Paul entered the city of Rome along the Appian Way, he had already traveled 3,275 kilometers. What lay before him was the center of power of the ancient world, filled with magnificent buildings and exquisite art. However, of the one million people in the city, half were slaves, and a large portion of the other half were impoverished citizens. All the professionals, manufacturers, and business owners were slaves, while the poor yet proud citizens disdained associating with them. Later, Paul would bring the Gospel to them.

During the early Christian era, many Christians were considered heretics and were executed on the ancient road before even entering Rome. The catacombs used to bury the remains of these martyrs became important historical and religious memorial sites. As a result, monuments, tombs, and ancient Roman churches are scattered along the road.