What's Happening?
Archaeologists have developed a detailed digital map of the Roman Empire's road network as it existed around AD 150. The project, named Itiner-e, has expanded the known size of the empire's land transport network by nearly 60 percent, revealing a total
length of approximately 299,171 kilometers. This initiative combines topographic mapping, satellite imagery, and historical records to create the first open dataset of its kind. The map provides a confidence rating for each road segment based on the quality of the source data. Despite the extensive mapping, only 2.8 percent of the network's length can be precisely located due to challenges in excavation and historical alterations.
Why It's Important?
The enhanced understanding of the Roman road network offers significant insights into historical events such as the spread of early Christianity, mass migrations, and pandemics across Europe. These roads played a crucial role in shaping the continent's history, yet they often receive less attention compared to more glamorous Roman achievements like amphitheaters. The project highlights the importance of infrastructure in historical development and provides a valuable resource for researchers and historians studying the Roman Empire's influence on European history.
