What have the Roman’s ever done for us?
What have the Romans ever done for us?
The Romans introduced many new building ideas and techniques, including concrete, bricks and the arch. The Pantheon in Rome is the world’s largest unsupported concrete dome, which measures almost 10 metres across.
They bought us wine and medicine, and more besides.
Roads and aqueducts
Roman roads were used to improve the speed that armies, officials, messengers and trade goods could move around the lands controlled by the Romans. They built many roads, bridges and aqueducts to expand their empire.
The Pont du Gard aqueduct in France has 3 levels of arches and is 275 metres long and almost 49 metres high.
- At the peak of the Roman Empire, there were over 400,000 km of roads connecting the provinces to Rome. A fifth of all of the roads were paved in stone.
- In Roman Britain, the Romans constructed more than 3000 km of road. Many of these routes are still used today – the modern road having been built over the Roman road.
- Some of the key roads of Roman Britain were: Ermine Street (London to York), Fosse Way (Exeter to Lincoln), Peddars Way (Hunstanton to Thetford), Watling Street (Dover to Wroxeter).
- The Romans constructed three different types of roads. Via terrena were little more than country tracks and consisted of levelled earth packed down by continued use. Via glareata were levelled tracks with a gravelled surface. Via munita were paved using blocks the most suitable local stone.
The Romans used concrete and aimed to produce a smooth road surface.
THE ROMANS ALSO GAVE US
- The census – the practice of counting a population.
- Towns
- Cabbages
- Peas
- Public libraries
- Public noticeboards
- Firemen
- Police
- Stinging nettles
- Cats
- Grapes
- Pears
- Paved streets
- Turnips
- Carrots
- Cement
- Bricks
- Heated baths
- The Romans occupied England for almost 500 years and Roman buildings can be seen all over England. Some of the best places Roman remains are in York, Chester and Bath.
TOUR
Why not book Italy’s Best Ancient Rome Tour, and discover more about Roman roads, aqueducts and engineering.
Carpe diem!
