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Appian Way

Roads, Highways and Trade Routes

The Appian Way, known by its Latin and Italian name Via Appia, is one of the earliest and strategically most important roads of the ancient Roman republic, connecting Rome to Brindisi in southeastern Italy. It is named for Appius Claudius Caecus, the Roman censor who began its first section as a military road during the Samnite Wars in 312 BC, and the ancient writer Statius recorded its reputation as the regina viarum, the queen of roads.

Facts
Disputed
Completion Year
264 BCE 1
The Appian Way was built in stages over nearly five decades, not completed on one date. Appius Claudius Caecus began and completed the first section, from Rome to Capua, as a military road in 312 BC; the Romans then extended it stage by stage until it reached the port of Brundisium in 264 BC, the year recorded here as the completion of the road to its historic terminus.
Significance
One of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic, connecting Rome to Brindisi; it entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2024. 1
Classification
Heritage Designation
Internationally Recognized (World Heritage) 1
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Appian Way
Wikipedia
  • Origins, Extension to Apulia and Calabria section
    The Romans pushed the Via Appia to the port of Brundisium in 264 BC.
  • Lead section
    In July 2024, the Appian Way entered the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  • UNESCO designation section
    In July 2024, the Appian Way entered the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  • Article lead
    the Appian Way entered the UNESCO World Heritage List
  • In Group: Ancient Roads and Trade Routes, Lead sentence
    The Appian Way, also known by its Latin and Italian name, Via Appia, is one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic.
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