Roman Roads

All roads lead to Rome?

What do you think about this phrase?
With a partner discuss what you think this
phrase means.

All roads lead to Rome

All roads lead to Rome

United States Interstates vs. Roman Roads

Construction of Roman Roads

Question
What building materials do you think that the
Romans would have used to create their roads?

Roman Roads
Roman Roads were made
up of four layers.
Each layer had a specific
purpose and each layer
added to the strength and
stability of the roads.

Fossa
The first thing that the
Romans did was dig a ditch
(fossa).
Do you remember what the
Cornelii family got stuck in on
their way to Rome?
The ditch was usually about 15
inches deep but the depth may
change according to the
terrain.

Statument
The next layer of the Roman
road is the statument.
The statuement was a layer of
stones that were at least two
inches in size.

Rudus
The next layer of the Roman
road is the Rudus.
The statuement was a layer of
concrete mixed with stones
that were smaller than two
inches in size.
The Romans had rediscovered
concrete and used it in making
their roads and buildings.

Nucleus
The next layer of the Roman
road is the nucleus.
The nucleus is about 12 inches
thick.
The nucleus is made up of
small gravel and coarse sand.

Summum dorsum
The final layer is the summum
dorsum.
The summum dorsum is the
top surface of the road that is
made up of stone slabs.

Roman road in Pompeii

Roman road in the Roman Forum