Catherine Fletcher, a Professor of History at Manchester Metropolitan University and author of "The Roads to Rome," dives into the captivating history of Roman roads. She uncovers how these seemingly mundane paths shaped societal views on travel and authority. Listeners are treated to her personal reflections on childhood memories interwoven with the roads, as well as the infrastructure's pivotal role in trade and pilgrimage. Fletcher also delves into the romantic perspectives of the 19th century and the legacy of Roman roads in modern ideologies, illustrating their enduring cultural significance.
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Shared Fascination with Roman Roads
Catherine Fletcher's father, a classics graduate, often pointed out straight road stretches, claiming they were Roman.
Similarly, Al Zambone's childhood fascination with Roman roads stemmed from a David Macaulay book and ordnance survey maps.
insights INSIGHT
Roman Road Construction
Roman roads weren't always straight; they adapted to the terrain and sometimes followed existing routes.
However, their construction in stone and inclusion of milestones distinguished them as monuments.
insights INSIGHT
Mile Zero and the Golden Milestone
A golden milestone existed in Rome, marking the central point, although its exact appearance is uncertain.
A similar monument, the Milyon, served the same function in Constantinople.
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This book by David Macaulay follows the planning and construction of Verbonia, an imaginary Roman city, to illustrate the principles of Roman urban planning and construction. Through detailed black and white drawings and a clear narrative, Macaulay explains how the Romans built efficient and rational cities, including the design of roads, walls, aqueducts, sewers, and public buildings like the forum, theatre, and public baths. The book also incorporates cultural details and emphasizes the importance of planning in maintaining peace and security in ancient Roman cities.
The Beauty and the Terror, The Italian Renaissance, and the Rise of the West
The Beauty and the Terror, The Italian Renaissance, and the Rise of the West
Catherine Fletcher
Roman Roads, A History
Roman Roads, A History
Catherine Fletcher
Listeners to this podcast are certainly aware of the saying that “all roads lead to Rome”; and, given this audience, you might even be aware that this probably derived from the observation mīlle viae dūcunt hominēs per saecula Rōmam, made by the 12th century theologian and poet Alain de Lille. But what is the history of the Roman roads, or rather, what is the history of how people imagined and related to the Roman Roads? And how has that imaginary influenced the ways that we think of Rome, the classical world, roads, travel, and perhaps even the powers of the state?
That Roman roads actually have produced a social imaginary should perhaps be a little more mysterious to us. After all, as my guest writes:
Many roads do go without saying. They’re not aesthetically exciting. They’re functional and mundane. We notice roads when they have problems – a traffic jam or accident. When the journey is smooth they’re not worthy of comment. (I noted, while researching, how rarely the word ‘road’ is indexed.) And yet for centuries the Roman roads have been a source of fascination.
Those were the words of Catherine Fletcher, Professor of History at Manchester Metropolitan University, and author most recently of The Roads to Rome: A History of Imperial Expansion. This is her second appearance on Historically Thinking; she was last here in Episode 166 talking about her book The Beauty and the Terror: The Italian Renaissance and the Rise of the West.
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