The Roman Empire is often remembered for its grand architecture and military conquests, but one of its most enduring legacies is its extensive network of roads. Designed for speed, efficiency, and military control, Roman roads connected far-flung regions of the empire. Astonishingly, some of these roads are still in use today—either preserved in their original form or integrated into modern routes. Let’s take a detailed look at nine ancient Roman roads that still exist, along with specific historical insights, current status, and some fascinating personal details tied to these engineering marvels.
1. Via Appia (Italy)
Often called the “Queen of Roads,” Via Appia was begun in 312 BCE under the authority of Appius Claudius Caecus, a Roman censor. It originally connected Rome to Capua and was later extended to Brindisi.
Modern relevance: Large stretches of the original basalt paving stones remain intact, particularly near the Appian Way Regional Park in Rome. Locals and tourists alike walk or cycle along the original route today.
Historical figure: Appius Claudius was around 45 when he initiated the project. His net worth, adjusted for modern economic impact, would place him among the wealthiest public figures in Roman politics, largely due to his infrastructure influence and land holdings.
2. Via Augusta (Spain)
Via Augusta, the longest Roman road in Hispania, extended over 1,500 km from the Pyrenees to Cádiz. It was crucial for connecting the provinces and facilitating trade across the Iberian Peninsula.
Preserved areas: Remnants of the road are visible near Tarragona and Elche. Some parts are now walking trails or have been absorbed into national highways like N-340.
Legacy families: The region around Tarragona was home to Gaius Julius Caesar’s allies, who controlled estates along the road. Their wealth in grain and wine exports would easily equate to millions of euros today.
3. Stane Street (United Kingdom)
This Roman road linked London (Londinium) to Chichester (Noviomagus Reginorum). Constructed in the 1st century CE, it enabled Roman troops and goods to move efficiently across southern Britain.
Preservation: Stretches of Stane Street can still be walked in Surrey and West Sussex. Much of it runs parallel to or beneath current roads and paths.
Modern tie-in: Land in the Chichester area still contains Roman villa foundations. In 2023, a local archaeologist named Emma Cartwright, aged 39, uncovered a Roman milestone inscribed with Emperor Trajan’s name, increasing her academic reputation significantly and earning her a €20,000 research grant.
4. Via Egnatia (Greece, Albania, North Macedonia)
Constructed around 146 BCE, this road connected the Adriatic Sea with Byzantium (now Istanbul). It facilitated movement across the Balkan Peninsula and was key to trade and military deployment.
Current access: In Greece, parts of the road near Kavala and Thessaloniki remain visible. Some of its course is now traced by the modern Egnatia Odos highway.
Famous figures: Saint Paul famously used the Via Egnatia during his missionary journeys. The economic and religious influence of early Christian travelers along this route laid foundations for future pilgrimage tourism that generates millions annually in local economies.
5. Via Flaminia (Italy)
Built in 220 BCE under Gaius Flaminius, this road connected Rome with Ariminum (modern Rimini) on the Adriatic coast.
Preserved segments: Several ancient bridges and tunnels remain, including the Ponte Milvio in Rome and gorges near Spoleto.
Notable builder: Gaius Flaminius, who died in battle in 217 BCE, was 54 at the time. Though often at odds with the Senate, his infrastructure projects were seen as progressive. His holdings and political stature would equate to upper-echelon government officials today with assets likely exceeding €10 million.
6. Via Domitia (France)
The Via Domitia was the first Roman road built in Gaul around 118 BCE. It connected Italy to Spain through southern France, serving military and commercial needs.
Visible today: Original paving stones can still be walked on in areas like Narbonne and Ambrussum near Montpellier. Museums now document the trade and travel that flourished due to this route.
Historic wealth: Domitius Ahenobarbus, who commissioned the road, belonged to a wealthy patrician family, whose estimated net worth was among the top 5% in Roman society. He was also an ancestor of Emperor Nero.
7. Decumanus Maximus (Jordan)
Located in Jerash (ancient Gerasa), the Decumanus Maximus is one of the best-preserved Roman roads outside of Europe. Constructed in the 1st century CE, it served as the city’s main thoroughfare.
Preserved in full: Visitors can still walk the original colonnaded street, complete with ruts from ancient carts.
Tourism boost: Jerash’s Decumanus now supports over 500 local families through tourism, with annual revenue estimated at $15 million. Conservation efforts have been ongoing since 2018.
8. Via Traiana (Italy)
Built under Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century CE, the Via Traiana offered a faster coastal route from Benevento to Brindisi.
Still visible: Segments near Canosa di Puglia and Ruvo di Puglia retain original paving. Some routes are now hiking trails used for heritage tourism.
Builder’s wealth: Trajan, born in 53 CE and emperor by 45, presided over Rome’s greatest territorial expansion. His imperial treasury was among the richest in Roman history, holding assets worth billions in modern-day valuation.
9. Cardo Maximus (Israel)
In ancient Roman cities, the Cardo Maximus was the central north-south road. In Jerusalem, it was built after 70 CE and redesigned under Hadrian in the 130s.
Current presence: Parts of the road are preserved in the Jewish Quarter and remain a major archaeological and tourist attraction.
Cultural layer: Emperor Hadrian’s urban projects altered the city’s identity. Today, descendants of Jewish families who lived around the area contribute to preservation efforts and earn from artisan businesses, some with family legacies stretching back hundreds of years.
Final Thoughts
Roman roads were more than stone pathways. They were arteries of empire, commerce, and culture—connecting people, ideas, and economies. Many still shape modern landscapes and societies. As preservation efforts continue and historical studies expand, these roads remain vivid links between our world and a powerful past, offering a tangible way to walk through history.
