Travel and Transportation

By Alexander H.

• There were roads that went throughout the empire. These roads were straight (with the exceptions of mountains) so the army could reach a trouble spot in a short amount of time. There were road markers every 1,500 meters.
• The common person would travel by foot. The rich and members of the imperial court would travel in chariots and lavishes carriages. For long journeys people could hire big carriages that would even have seats on the top.
• Along the road there were inns and taverns to rest and change horses. The people would sleep in tents along the road. The rich would have guards and slaves. There were bandits along the road even though the soldiers tried to protect against it.
• In Rome carts were not allowed during the day. Things had to be delivered by carts at night.
• People usually would walk to get around. The rich would be carried in litters, which were bed like and carried by slaves.
• The only things to travel by sea were goods and the military. With ships goods could be transported to any part of the empire.

Millard, Anna. Welcome to Ancient Rome. London: Usborne Publisher Ltd., 1981.