They say all roads lead to Rome, yes it is. However, the Ancient Appian Way aka “Via Appia” and “Via Sacra” was the only road considered to be sacred which you can find in the Holy City. The Ancient Appian Way is also called as the “Queen of Roads.” The Ancient Appian Way also connects Rome to the eastern reaches of its Empire.
Learning the History of Ancient Appian Way: A Nice Glimpse
The Ancient Appian Way was built to transport Rome’s military legions. Its greatest significance ever since it was constructed was the broadening of commerce and culture beyond the Roman Empire—it has been the Ancient Appian “Sacred” Way since then.
If we are to liken it to the modern times, the Ancient Appian Way can be considered as the “superhighway.” Today, we can say that our commerce can spread via electronic packets, not cobbled stones like the way Romans and our ancestors used them before in building the Ancinet Appian Way.
As for the name itself, Ancient Appian Way got its sumptuous name since Rome was considered the northernmost town out of thirty towns during the time of Latin Confederation. So, as you traverse the Ancient Appian Way, you can just imagine how many and how long has it been since Latin confederates once took this way.
The Ancient Appian Way was also considered to be the only road that will lead to South or the fatherlands of Latin. More so, the Ancient Appian Way, as the Queen of Roads, was the only lead to the so called cradle of Italian Civilization.
The Ancient Appian Way: The “Queen of Roads”
The Ancient Appian Way begins at Capitol Hills and it passes through the famous Roman Forum, right after another illustrious structure, the Arch of Titus. You will see, as you explore the most eminent road in Rome that it borders the Circus Maximus, Palatine, and Caracalla’s Bath until it reaches the famed gate of St. Sebastian of another well-known structure, the Aurelian Walls.
As you pass through the imposing walls, you will see the fortified town that Marcus Aurelius himself had built. Apart from that, you will see the 3rd century AD town that had been interspersed with high and might towers. For the record, the so called imposing walls that you will see on the Ancient Appian Way had encircled the historical center of the Holy City.
What You See in the Ancient Appian Way
Basically, the Ancient Appian way is mainly constructed using cobblestones. In fact, the Ancient Appian Way is now considered the first paved street that humanity had. The Ancient Appian Way is a work of consul Appius Cladius where it obviously got its name in 312 BC.
As you enter the way deeper, you will see the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, daughter of a Roman patrician family, Catacombs of St. Sebastian, St. Callistus, Circus of Maxentius, the house of Romulus (the founder of Rome), and the Mausoleum.
Yes, your journey in Rome, particularly in Ancient Appian Way is worth every minute as you seem to travel and walk back in time.
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