The Romans were famous for their excellent public roads, from thirteen
to fifteen feet wide. The roadbed was formed of four distinct layers,
placed above the foundation. The upper layer was made of large polygonal
blocks of the hardest stone, fitted and joined together so as to make
an even surface. On each side of the road were footpaths strewn
with gravel. Stone blocks for the use of equestrians were at regular
distances, and also milestones telling the distance from Rome.
There were four main public roads:--
1. VIA APPIA, from Rome to Capua, Beneventum, Tarentum, and Brundisium.
2. VIA LATINA, from Rome to Aquinum and Teanum, joining the Via Appia at
Beneventum.
3. VIA FLAMINIA, the great northern road. In Umbria, near Ocriculum and
Narnia, a branch went east through Spoletium, joining the main line at
Fulsinia. It then continued through Fanum, Flaminii, and Nuceria, where
it again divided, one branch going to Fanum Fortunae on the Adriatic,
the other to Ancona, and from there along the coast to Fanum Fortunae,
where the two branches, again uniting, passed on to Ariminum through
Pisaurum. From here it was extended, under the name of VIA AEMILIA,
into the heart of Cisalpine Gaul, through Bononia, Mutina, Parma, and
Placentia, where it crossed the Po, to Mediolanum.
4. VIA AURELIA, the great coast road, reached the west coast at Alsium,
following the shore along through Etruria and Liguria, by Genua, as far
as Forum Julii, in Gaul.
PROVINCES.
After the conquest of Italy, all the additional Roman dominions were
divided into provinces. Sicily was the first Roman province. At first
Praetors were appointed to govern these provinces; but afterwards
persons who had been Praetors at Rome were appointed at the expiration
of their office, with the title of PROPRAETOR. Later, the Consuls also,
at the end of their year of office, were sent to govern provinces,
with the title of PROCONSUL. Such provinces were called _Provinciae
Consulares_. The provinces were generally distributed by lot, but their
distribution was sometimes arranged by agreement among those entitled
to them. The tenure of office was usually a year, but it was frequently
prolonged. When a new governor arrived in the province, his predecessor
was expected to leave within thirty days.
The governor was assisted by two QUAESTORS, who had charge of the
financial duties of the government. Originally the governor was obliged
to account at Rome for his administration, from his own books and those
of the Quaestors; but after 61 B. C., he was obliged to deposit two
copies of his accounts in the two chief cities of his province, and to
forward a third to Rome.
If the governor misconducted himself in the performance of his official
duties, the provincials might apply for redress to the Senate, and to
influential Romans who were their patrons.
The governor received no salary, but was allowed to exact certain
contributions from the people of the province for the support of himself
and his retinue, which consisted of quaestors, secretary, notary,
lictors, augurs, and public criers. His authority was supreme in
military and civil matters, and he could not be removed from office. But
after his term had ended, he could be tried for mismanagement.
Many of the governors were rascals, and obtained by unfair means vast
sums of money from the provincials. One of the most notorious of these
was Verres, against whom Cicero delivered his Verrine orations.
At the time of the battle of Actium there were eighteen provinces; viz.
Sicilia (227 (Footnote: The figures in parentheses indicate the date
at which the province was established.)), Sardinia and Corsica (227),
Hispania Citerior (205), Hispania Ulterior (205), Illyricum (167),
Macedonia (146), Africa (146), Asia (133), Achaia (146), Gallia Citerior
(80), Gallia Narbonensis (118), Cilicia (63), Syria (64), Bithynia and
Pontus (63), Cyprus (55), Cyrenaica and Crete (63), Numidia (46), and
Mauritania (46).
Under the Emperors the following sixteen were added: Rhoetia, Noricum,
Pannonia, Moesia, Dacia, Britannia, Aegyptus, Cappadocia, Galatia,
Rhodus, Lycia, Judaea, Arabia, Mesopotamia. Armenia, and Assyria.