Appian Way: Appian Way, lined with family tombs near Rome

Rome, Italy - Appian Way\u000a\u000aThe Appian Way (Latin and Italian: Via Appia) was the most important ancient Roman road. It is also called the 'the queen road'. It connected Rome to Brindisi, Apulia in southeast Italy. The Roman army, for its success, depended on the use of highways to prepare for battle and to afterward refresh and re-equip. The specific Via Appia was used as a main route for military supplies for many years from the middle of the 4th century BC. The road began as a leveled dirt road upon which small stones and mortar are laid. Upon this gravel is laid, which was finally topped with tight fitting, and interlocking stones to provide a flat surface. Some of the stones were have said to fit so well that you could not slide a knife into the cracks. The road was crested in the middle (for water runoff) and had ditches on either side of the road which were protected by retaining walls.