Download Roman Roads

Roman Roads
All roads lead to Rome?
• What do you think about this phrase?
• With a partner discuss what you think this
phrase means.
All roads lead to Rome
All roads lead to Rome
United States Interstates vs. Roman Roads
Question
• What building materials do you think that the
Romans would have used to create their roads?
Roman Roads
• Roman Roads were made
up of four layers.
• Each layer had a specific
purpose and each layer
added to the strength and
stability of the roads.
Fossa
• The first thing that the
Romans did was dig a ditch
(fossa).
• Do you remember what the
Cornelii family got stuck in on
their way to Rome?
• The ditch was usually about 15
inches deep but the depth may
change according to the
terrain.
Statument
• The next layer of the Roman
road is the statument.
• The statuement was a layer of
stones that were at least two
inches in size.
Rudus
• The next layer of the Roman
road is the Rudus.
• The statuement was a layer of
concrete mixed with stones
that were smaller than two
inches in size.
• The Romans had rediscovered
concrete and used it in making
their roads and buildings.
Nucleus
• The next layer of the Roman
road is the nucleus.
• The nucleus is about 12 inches
thick.
• The nucleus is made up of
small gravel and coarse sand.
Summum dorsum
• The final layer is the summum
dorsum.
• The summum dorsum is the
top surface of the road that is
made up of stone slabs.
Roman road in Pompeii
Roman road in the Roman Forum