This volume aims to present the current state of research on Roman roads and their foundations
in a combined historical and archaeological perspective. The focus is on the diverse local
histories and the varying degrees of significance of individual roads and regional networks
which are treated here for the most important regions of the empire and beyond. The assembled
contributions will be of interest to historians archaeologists and epigraphers since they
tackle matters as diverse as the technical modalities of road-building the choice of route
but also the functionality and the motives behind the creation of roads. Roman roads are
further intimately related to various important aspects of Roman history politics and culture.
After all such logistical arteries form the basis of all communication and exchange processes
enabling not only military conquest and security but also facilitating the creation of an
organized state as well as trade food supply and cultural exchange. The study of Roman roads
must always be based on a combination of written and archaeological sources in order to take
into account both their concrete geographical location and their respective spatial cultural
and historical context.
