Can you imagine what Rome would have looked like if it was constructed like our domiciles and edifices these days? Perhaps it’s a hidden blessing that particle board and tubes of glue never existed. It gives us pause to think as to what remnants of our wafer-thin homes will remain hundreds of years into the future.
Surely, modern construction does its best with what it has to hand, but we reckon that it will be dust in the wind a few millennia from now. So, while we still can, let us all collectively gasp, and then marvel at the handiwork of the ancient romans. Right from the start, the Romans were master engineers, and their roads and bridges are enduring testaments to their ingenuity, meticulous planning, and robust construction techniques. Many of these structures have lasted for over two millennia, with some still in use today.
From a practical aspect, they used sophisticated surveying instruments like the “groma” to ensure straight lines and accurate perpendiculars, a crucial step in laying out the roadbed. This engendered Roman roads to not just be dirt tracks; they were elaborate, multi-layered constructions designed for immense durability and drainage. A typical Roman road (via munita, or paved road) involved. Take a moment to think about that. As you’ll see by the title of this post’s fun fact, you can still drive ancient roman roads. Watch the video above.
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