A groundbreaking mapping project has revealed that the Roman road network was significantly more extensive than previously thought, expanding the known network by over 60,000 miles (100,000 kilometers). This discovery sheds new light on the scope and efficiency of the Roman Empire, highlighting its impact on trade, military movement, and the spread of ideas—and even pandemics.
Uncovering the “Country Lanes” of the Roman Empire
For centuries, historians and archaeologists have focused primarily on the major Roman highways—the well-maintained routes connecting major cities and the capital, Rome. However, a new digital atlas, called Itiner-e, developed by an international research team, has uncovered a network of secondary roads—what researchers call the “country lanes”—that were previously overlooked. These roads, vital for local transportation and regional connections, represent a significant portion of the Roman infrastructure.
Itiner-e: A New Tool for Understanding Roman Interconnections
The Itiner-e platform, now openly accessible, combines historical records, archaeological findings, topographic maps, and remote sensing data to create a comprehensive digital map of Roman roads. Launched by Tom Brughmans, an archaeologist at Aarhus University, and his colleagues, the platform identifies nearly 186,000 miles (300,000 km) of roads—a figure twice the size of previous estimates.
This massive, integrated network was a historical game-changer. It meant for the first time, a plague, an economic boom, or a new religion could go ‘continental’ and reshape the world. – Tom Brughmans, archaeologist at Aarhus University
The Scope of Roman Infrastructure
The extent of the road network underscores the power and organization of the Roman Empire. The ability to efficiently transport goods, armies, and people across vast distances fueled economic growth, facilitated military campaigns, and enabled the rapid dissemination of cultural and religious ideas.
A 2,000-Year-Old Case Study: The Antonine Plague
The improved understanding of Roman roads offers insights into historical events. For example, the Antonine Plague, which ravaged the Roman Empire in A.D. 165 and likely caused the deaths of approximately one-quarter of the population, spread along these routes. Mapping these ancient roads provides a unique opportunity to study the long-term societal impact of pandemics from a 2,000-year-old perspective.
A Valuable Resource for Researchers
Jeffrey Becker, a Mediterranean archaeologist at Binghamton University, who was not involved in the study, praised Itiner-e as a valuable digital tool for experts. He noted the team’s rigorous data review process, which ensured the accuracy and reliability of the road dataset.
Ongoing Research and Future Discoveries
Despite the significant advances represented by Itiner-e, Becker acknowledged that some gaps remain in the map. These gaps are often a result of limited data availability and the challenges of identifying Roman roads in the archaeological record. Brughmans and his colleagues view the current map as a “call to action,” identifying areas where further research and archaeological excavation are needed.
We know there are many roads we still haven’t found yet. – Tom Brughmans, archaeologist at Aarhus University
The team anticipates that the inclusion of nearly 200,000 km of secondary roads will be significantly increased, opening new avenues for exploring and understanding the Roman world. Ultimately, this new mapping project highlights the incredible scale and interconnectedness of the Roman Empire, demonstrating its enduring legacy on the world
