Product Description

The remains of Roman roads are a powerful reminder of the travel and communications system that was needed to rule a vast and diverse empire. This cutting edge collection provides an understanding of the role and importance of travel to the Romans

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1112441 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Library Binding
• 240 pages

Review
'A good piece of work.' - Arctos

Synopsis
The remains of Roman roads are a powerful reminder of the travel and communications system that was needed to rule a vast and diverse empire. Yet few people have questioned just how the Romans - both military and civilians - travelled, or examined their geographical understanding in an era which offered a greatly increased potential for moving around, and a much bigger choice of destinations. This volume provides new perspectives on these issues, and some controversial arguments; for instance, that travel was not limited to the elite, and that maps as we know them did not exist in the empire. The military importance of transport and communication networks is also a focus, as is the imperial post system (cursus publicus), and the logistics and significance of transport in both conquest and administration. With more than forty photographs, maps and illustrations, this collection provides a new understanding of the role and importance of travel, and of the nature of geographical knowledge, in the Roman world.

From the Back Cover
The remains of Roman roads are a powerful reminder of the travel and communications system that was needed to rule a vast and diverse empire. Yet few people have questioned just how the Romans - both military and civilians - travelled, or examined their geographical understanding in an era which offered a greatly increased potential for moving around, and a much bigger choice of destinations.
The six expert contributors in this volume provide new perspectives on these issues, and some controversial arguments; for instance, that travel was not limited to the elite, and that maps as we know them did not exist in the empire, but that milestones, place-names and itineraries were still effective means of planning and undertaking journeys. The military importance of transport and communications networks is also a focus, with papers on the imperial post system (cursus publicus), and the logistics and significance of transport in both conquest and administration.
With more than forty photographs, maps and illustrations, this cutting-edge collection provides a new understanding of the role and importance of travel, and of the nature of geographical knowledge in the Roman world.