The path of the Via Appia and of the Via Appia Traiana.

Remains of the Appian Way in Rome, near Quarto Miglio

Near Rome.

The Appian Way (Latin and Italian: Via Appia) was the most important ancient Roman road. It is also called the "queen of roads". ^[1] It connected Rome to Brindisi, Apulia in southeast Italy. Its importance is indicated by its common name, recorded by Statius^[2]: Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1280x692, 537 KB) This map is based on the following picture: Image:Satellite image of Italy in March 2003. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1280x692, 537 KB) This map is based on the following picture: Image:Satellite image of Italy in March 2003. ... Image File history File linksMetadata P_appia. ... Image File history File linksMetadata P_appia. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... Download high resolution version (620x820, 118 KB)Remains of Via Appia, near Rome, Italy. ... Download high resolution version (620x820, 118 KB)Remains of Via Appia, near Rome, Italy. ... For other uses, see Latins and Latin (disambiguation). ... Not to be confused with Romans road. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... Brindisi is an ancient city in the Italian region of Puglia, the capital of the province of Brindisi. ... This article is bad because of the Italian region. ... Publius Papinius Statius, (c. ...

Appia longarum teritur regina viarum ("the Appian way is commonly said to be the queen of the long roads")

History

Porta San Sebastiano is the gate of the Appia in the Aurelian Walls.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1862 KB) Roma, Porta san Sebastiano File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1862 KB) Roma, Porta san Sebastiano File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera... South section of the walls The Aurelian Walls were city walls built between 270 and 273 in Rome during the reign of the Roman Emperor Aurelian. ...

The Need for Roads

The Roman army, for its success, depended on the use of highways to prepare for battle and to afterward refresh and re-equip. The specific Via Appia was used as a main route for military supplies for many years from the middle of the 4th century BC. Bases allowed the Romans to keep large numbers in the field waiting for the opportunity to strike. In the late Republic the Romans were masters of road construction, but this art was not yet in their repertory until their territory expanded. The few roads outside the early city were Etruscan and they were not used to connect bases or supply troops. The Roman army was a set of land-based military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and later Roman Empire as part of the Roman military. ... This article is about the state which existed from the 6th century BC to the 1st century BC. For the state which existed in the 18th century, see Roman Republic (18th century). ... Extent of Etruscan civilization and the twelve Etruscan League cities. ...

Samnites

Rome always had an affinity for the people of Campania, who, like themselves, traced their backgrounds to the Etruscans. The Samnite Wars were instigated by the Samnites when Rome attempted to ally itself with Capua. The Italic speakers in Latium had long ago been subdued and incorporated into the Roman state. They were responsible for changing Rome from a primarily Etruscan to a primarily Italic state. For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Campania (disambiguation). ... The Etruscan civilization existed in Etruria and the Po valley in the northern part of what is now Italy, prior to the formation of the Roman Republic. ... Belligerents Roman Republic Samnium The First, Second, and Third Samnite wars, between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium, extended over half a century, involving almost all the states of Italy, and ended in Roman domination of the Samnites. ... Samnite warriors Samnium (Oscan Safinim) was a region of the southern Apennines in Italy that was home to the Samnites, a group of Sabellic tribes that controlled the area from about 600 BC to about 290 BC. Samnium was delimited by Latium in the north, by Lucania in the south... Capua is a city in the province of Caserta, (Campania, Italy) situated 25 km (16 mi) north of Napoli, on the northeastern edge of the Campanian plain. ... Hypothetical distribution of languages in Iron Age Italy during the sixth century BC. The Italic subfamily is a member of the Centum branch of the Indo-European language family. ... Latium (Lazio in Italian) is a region of central Italy, bordered by Tuscany, Umbria, Abruzzo, Marche, Molise, Campania and the Tyrrhenian Sea. ...

Dense populations of sovereign Samnites remained in the mountains north of Capua, which is just north of the Greek city of Neapolis. Around 343 BC, Rome and Capua attempted to form an alliance, a first step toward a closer unity. The Samnites reacted with military force. Location of the city of Naples (red dot) within Italy. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 390s BC - 380s BC - 370s BC - 360s BC - 350s BC - 340s BC _ 330s BC - 320s BC - 310s BC - 300s BC - 290s BC 348 BC 347 BC 346 BC 345 BC 344 BC 343 BC 342 BC 341 BC...

Pontine Marshes

Priscilla tomb.

Between Capua and Rome lay the Pontine Marshes (Pomptinae paludes), a malarial swamp. A coastal road wound its tortuous way between Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber and Neapolis. The via Latina followed its ancient and scarcely less accessible path along the foothills of Monti Laziali and Monti Lepini, which are visible towering over the former marsh. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1623 KB) Roma, via Appia Antica, Sepolcro di Priscilla by Lalupa File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional information, probably... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1623 KB) Roma, via Appia Antica, Sepolcro di Priscilla by Lalupa File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional information, probably... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Ostia Antica was the harbor of ancient Rome and perhaps its first colonia. ... Tiber River in Rome. ... The Via Latina, or the Latin Way, was a Roman road of Italy, running southeast from Rome for about 200 km. ... The peak of the Semprevisa Mount, with the Monti Ernici on the background. ...

In the First Samnite War (343 BC-341 BC) the Romans found they could not support or resupply troops in the field against the Samnites across the marsh, but were victorious anyway. A revolt of the Latin League drained their resources even further. They gave up the attempted alliance. The rich lands and connections with Campania were being snatched away from them for the moment. The Samnite Wars were three wars between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 390s BC 380s BC 370s BC 360s BC 350s BC - 340s BC - 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 346 BC 345 BC 344 BC 343 BC 342 BC 341 BC 340 BC 339 BC 338... The Latin League was an alliance of Rome and the many other cities and villages in and around the area of Latium. ...

Colonization to the Southeast

The Romans were only biding their time while they looked for a solution. The first answer was the colonia, a "cultivation" of settlers from Rome, who would maintain a permanent base of operations. The Second Samnite War (327 BC-304 BC) erupted when Rome attempted to place a colony at Cales in 334 BC and again at Fregellae in 328 on the other side of the marshes. The Samnites, now a major power after defeating the Greeks of Tarentum, occupied Neapolis to try and ensure its loyalty. The Neapolitans appealed to Rome, which sent an army and succeeded in expelling the Samnites from Neapolis. The fight for Campania was on once more. This article is about a type of political territory. ... The Samnite Wars were three wars between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 370s BC 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC - 320s BC - 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 332 BC 331 BC 330 BC 329 BC 328 BC - 327 BC - 326 BC 325 BC 324... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 309 BC 308 BC 307 BC 306 BC 305 BC 304 BC 303 BC 302 BC 301... Cales (modern Calvi), an ancient city of Campania, belonging originally to the Aurunci, on the Via Latina, 8 m. ... Events Alexander the Great crosses the Bosporus, invading Persia. ... Fregellae, an ancient town of Latium adiectum, situated on the Via Latina 11 m. ... Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ... Alternate uses: See Naples (disambiguation) Naples (Italian Napoli, Neapolitan Napule, from Greek Νέα-Πόλις, latinised in Neapolis) is the largest town in southern Italy, capital of Campania region. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Campania (disambiguation). ...

Colonies alone apparently were not the answer. In 321 BC, a Roman army was trapped in the mountain passes north of Capua, at Caudium. At the Battle of the Caudine Forks they were kept penned in without supplies, especially water, until the Senate bought their release in exchange for a treaty the Romans considered humiliating, by which they provided hostages and gave up the colonies. The treaty was a 5-year one. Rome used the time to defeat the Italic tribes around Samnium. In 316 BC, at the end of the treaty, Samnium joined the universal war of Italics against Rome, which was badly beaten again at the Battle of Lautulae in 315 BC. The situation was bleak by 312 BC and was to become bleaker when, in 311 BC, the Etruscans in Etruria and Campania decided to go over to the Samnites. The rebellious Macedonian general Craterus is defeated and killed in battle in Asia Minor by Eumenes of Cardia, lieutenant to the Macedonian regent Perdiccas. ... Caudium is an open source web server. ... Combatants Roman Republic Samnium Commanders Titus Veturius Calvinus Spurius Postumius Albinus Gaius Pontius Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties Insignificant Insignificant {{{notes}}} The Battle of Caudine Forks, 321 BC, was a decisive battle of the Samnite Wars. ... Hypothetical distribution of languages in Iron Age Italy during the sixth century BC. The Italic subfamily is a member of the Centum branch of the Indo-European language family. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 321 BC 320 BC 319 BC 318 BC 317 BC 316 BC 315 BC 314 BC 313... The Battle of Lautulae was fought in 316 BC between the Romans and the Samnites. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC - 310s BC - 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 320 BC 319 BC 318 BC 317 BC 316 BC - 315 BC - 314 BC 313 BC 312... In the Third war of the Diadochi, Ptolemy I Soter meets a force under Antigonuss son Demetrius at Gaza, where they fight an inconclusive battle. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 316 BC 315 BC 314 BC 313 BC 312 BC 311 BC 310 BC 309 BC 308...

Appius Claudius Caecus

San Sebastiano fuori le Mura, located on the catacombs of San Sebastiano.

In 312 BC, Appius Claudius Caecus became censor at Rome. He was of the gens Claudia (later in some branches called Clodia), patricians descended from the Sabines taken into the early Roman state. He had been given the name of the founding ancestor of the gens. He was a populist, an advocate of the common people, who did not stand by and wait for others when the work of the state needed to be done. A man of inner perspicacity, in the years of success he was said to have lost his outer vision and thus acquired the name caecus, "blind". Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1278 KB) Roma, via Appia, Basilica alle catacombre di San Sebastiano by Lalupa File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1278 KB) Roma, via Appia, Basilica alle catacombre di San Sebastiano by Lalupa File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional... San Sebastiano fuori le mura, facade. ... Appius Claudius Caecus (Appius Claudius the Blind, c. ... Censor was the title of two magistrates of high rank in the Roman Republic. ... The gens Claudia was one of the oldest families in ancient Rome, and for centuries its members were regularly leaders of the city and empire. ... Sabine (in Latin and in Italian, Sabina) is a sub-region of Latium, Italy, on the North-East of Rome toward Rieti. ...

Without waiting to be told what to do, Appius Claudius began bold public works to address the supply problem. An aqueduct (the Aqua Appia) secured the water supply of the city of Rome. By far the best known project was the road, which was to run straight as an arrow across the Pontine Marshes to the coast northwest of Naples, there to turn northward to Capua. On it any number of fresh troops could be sped to the theatre of operations, and supplies could be moved en masse to Roman bases without hindrance by either enemy or terrain. It is no surprise that, after his term as censor, Appius Claudius became consul twice, subsequently held other offices, and was a respected consultant to the state even during his later years. The Aqua Appia was the first ancient Roman aqueduct. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Location of the city of Naples (red dot) within Italy. ... Capua is a city in the province of Caserta, (Campania, Italy) situated 25 km (16 mi) north of Napoli, on the northeastern edge of the Campanian plain. ... Censor was the title of two magistrates of high rank in the Roman Republic. ... This article is about the Roman rank. ...

Construction of the road

How the road was built

The road began as a leveled dirt road upon which small stones and mortar are laid. Upon this gravel is laid, which was finally topped with tight fitting, and interlocking stones to provide a flat surface. Some of the stones were have said to fit so well that you could not slide a knife into the cracks.The road was crested in the middle (for water runoff) and had ditches on either side of the road which were protected by retaining walls.

Between Rome and Lake Albano

The Circus of Maxentius.

The road began in the Forum Romanum, passed through the Servian Wall at the porta Capena, went through a cutting in the clivus Martis, and left the city. For this stretch of the road, the builders used the via Latina. The building of the Aurelian Wall centuries later required the placing of another gate, the Porta Appia. Outside of Rome the new via Appia went through well-to-do suburbs along the via Norba, the ancient track to the Alban hills, where Norba was situated. The road at the time was a via glarea, a gravel road. The Romans built a high-quality road, with layers of cemented stone over a layer of small stones, crowned, drainage ditches on either side, low retaining walls on sunken portions, and dirt pathways for sidewalks. The via Appia is believed to have been the first Roman road to feature the use of lime cement. The materials were volcanic rock. The surface was said to have been so smooth that you could not distinguish the joints. The Roman section still exists and is lined with monuments of all periods, although the cement has eroded out of the joints, leaving a very rough surface. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1513 KB) Roma, via Appia Antica - Circo di Massenzio, le torri by Lalupa File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 1513 KB) Roma, via Appia Antica - Circo di Massenzio, le torri by Lalupa File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional... For other uses, see Circus (disambiguation). ... Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius ( 278-28 October 312) was Western Roman Emperor from 306 to 312. ... The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) was a central area of ancient Rome in which commerce, business, trading and the administration of justice took place. ... Large section of the Servian Wall visible next to the railway station of Termini. ... Porta Capena is a place near Rome, formerly a sacred forest, where Numa Pompilius and Egeria met. ... The Via Latina, or the Latin Way, was a Roman road of Italy, running southeast from Rome for about 200 km. ... The Aurelian Walls were built between 270 and 273, by Roman Emperor Aurelian. ... Arch of Drusus Gate in the Aurelian Wall of Rome, through which the Via Ardeatina or, more generally, the Via Appia, leaves Rome. ... The Alban Hills. ... Norba, an ancient town of Latium (Adjectum), Italy. ...

Across the marsh

The road concedes nothing to the Alban hills, but goes straight through them over cuts and fills. The gradients are steep. Then it enters the former Pontine Marshes. A stone causeway of about 19 miles led across stagnant and odoriferous pools blocked from the sea by sand dunes. Appius Claudius planned to drain the marsh, taking up earlier attempts, but he failed. The causeway and its bridges subsequently needed constant repair. No one enjoyed crossing the marsh. In 162 BC, Marcus Cornelius Cathegus had a canal constructed along the road to relieve the traffic and provide an alternative when the road was being repaired. Romans preferred using the canal. The Alban Hills. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Centuries: 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC Decades: 210s BC 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC - 160s BC - 150s BC 140s BC 130s BC 120s BC 110s BC Years: 167 BC 166 BC 165 BC 164 BC 163 BC - 162 BC - 161 BC 160 BC...

Along the coast

Mausoleum of Caecilia Metella and the castrum Caetani.

The via Appia picked up the coastal road at Tarracina. However, the Romans straightened it somewhat with huge cuttings, which form cliffs today. From there the road swerved north to Capua, where, for the time being, it ended. Caudine Forks was not far to the north. The itinerary was Aricia (Ariccia), Tres Tabernae, Appii Forum, Tarracina (Terracina), Fundi (Fondi), Formiae (Formia), Minturnae (Minturno), Sinuessa (Mondragone), Casilinum and Capua, but some of these were colonies added after the Samnite Wars. The distance was 132 miles. The original road had no milestones, as they were not yet in use. A few survive from later times, including a first milestone near the porta Appia. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 1755 KB) Roma, via appia Antica: mausoleo di Cecilia Metella e Castrum Caetani by Lalupa File links The following pages link to this file: Caecilia Metella Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 1755 KB) Roma, via appia Antica: mausoleo di Cecilia Metella e Castrum Caetani by Lalupa File links The following pages link to this file: Caecilia Metella Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... St. ... Tomb of Caecilia Metella, on the Appian Way, included in the Caetani castle. ... Gaetani, or Caetani, the name of the oldest of the Roman princely families which played a great part in the history of the city and of the papacy. ... Terracina is a comune and episcopal see of the province of Latina - (until 1934 of the province of Rome), Italy, 76 km SE of Rome by rail (56 km by the Via Appia). ... View from the bridge Ariccia (Latin Aricia) is a commune in the province of Rome, in the Lazio (Latium) region, in the Alban Hills. ... Three Taverns, a place on the great Appian Way, about 11 miles from Rome, designed for the reception of travellers, as the name indicates. ... Terracina is a comune and episcopal see of the province of Latina - (until 1934 of the province of Rome), Italy, 76 km SE of Rome by rail (56 km by the Via Appia). ... Formia is a small town/city on the Mediterranean Coast of Italy. ... Minturnae, an ancient city of the Aurunci, in Italy, situated on the north west bank of the Liris with a suburb on the opposite bank 11 miles from its mouth, at the point where the Via Appia crossed it by the Pons Tiretius. ... Country Italy Region Campania Province Province of Caserta (CE) Mayor Elevation 10 m Area 54. ... Casilinum (modern Capua), an ancient city of Campania, Italy, 3 m. ... Capua is a city in the province of Caserta, (Campania, Italy) situated 25 km (16 mi) north of Napoli, on the northeastern edge of the Campanian plain. ...

Victorious outcome

The road achieved its purpose. The outcome of the Second Samnite War was at last favorable to Rome. In a series of stunning blows the Romans reversed their fortunes, bringing Etruria to the table in 311 BC, the very year of their revolt, and Samnium in 304. The road was just the factor that allowed them to concentrate their forces sufficiently rapidly and keep them adequately supplied to become a formidable opponent. The Samnite Wars were three wars between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium. ... Samnium (Oscan Safinim) was a region of the southern Apennines in Italy that was home to the Samnites, a group of Sabellic tribes that controlled the area from about 600 BC to about 290 BC. Samnium was delimited by Latium in the north, by Lucania in the south, by Campania...

Extension to Beneventum

Via Appia within the ancient Minturno.

The Third Samnite War (298 BC-290 BC) is perhaps misnamed. It was an all-out attempt by all the neighbors of Rome: Italics, Etruscans and Gauls, to check the power of Rome. The Samnites were the leading people of the conspiracy. Rome dealt the northerners a crushing blow at the Battle of Sentinum in Umbria in 295 BC. The Samnites fought on alone. Rome now placed 13 colonies in Campania and Samnium. It must have been during this time that they extended the via Appia 35 miles beyond Capua past the Caudine forks to a place the Samnites called Maloenton, “passage of the flocks.” The itinerary added Calatia, Caudium and Beneventum (not yet called that). Here also ended the via Latina. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 681 KB) Via Appia within the ancient city of Minturno. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 681 KB) Via Appia within the ancient city of Minturno. ... Minturno is a city in the southern Lazio, Italy, situated on the north west bank of the Liris with a suburb on the opposite bank 11 miles from its mouth, at the point where the Via Appia crossed it by the bridge called Pons Tiretius. ... The Samnite Wars were three wars between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC Years: 303 BC 302 BC 301 BC 300 BC 299 BC - 298 BC - 297 BC 296 BC... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 295 BC 294 BC 293 BC 292 BC 291 BC 290 BC 289 BC 288 BC 287... The Battle of Sentinum was the final battle of the Third Samnite War, fought in 295 BC near Sentinum (next to Sassoferrato, Marche), in which the Romans were able to overcome a formidable coalition of Samnites, Etruscans, Umbrians, and their Gallic allies. ... Umbria is a region of central Italy, bordered by Tuscany to the west, the Marche to the east and Lazio to the south. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 300 BC 299 BC 298 BC 297 BC 296 BC 295 BC 294 BC 293 BC 292... Calatia, an ancient town of Campania, Italy, 6 m. ... Caudium is an open source web server. ... Benevento is a town and archiepiscopal see of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 32 miles northeast of Naples. ... The Via Latina, or the Latin Way, was a Roman road of Italy, running southeast from Rome for about 200 km. ...

Extension to Apulia and Calabria

By 290 BC, all was over for the sovereignty of the Samnites. The heel of Italy lay open to the Romans. The dates are somewhat uncertain and there is considerable variation in the sources, but during the Third Samnite War the Romans seem to have extended the road to Venusia, where they placed a colony of 20,000 men. After that they were at Tarentum. Venusia (modern Venosa) was an ancient city of Basilicata, Italy, on the Via Appia, about 10 km south of the river Aufidus (Ofanto), and not far from the boundary of Lucania. ... Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ...

Possession of the region and control of southern Italy was contested by King Pyrrhus of Epirus in neighboring Greece on behalf of the Greek presence in Italy. In 280 BC the Romans suffered another defeat at the hands of Pyrrhus at the Battle of Heraclea on the coast west of Tarentum. Making the best of it, the Roman army turned on Greek Rhegium and effected a massacre of Pyrrhian partisans there. Pyrrhus of Epirus Pyrrhus (318-272 BC) (Greek: Πύρρος) was one of the most successful ancient Greek generals of the Hellenistic era. ... Combatants Roman Republic Epirus, Magna Graecia Commanders Publius Valerius Laevinus Pyrrhus of Epirus Strength 29,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry 31,500 infantry, 4,000 cavalry, 20 war elephants Casualties 7,000 dead 4,000 dead The Battle of Heraclea took place in 280 BC between the Romans under the... Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ... Categories: Italy-related stubs | Coastal cities | Towns in Calabria ...

Rather than pursue them, Pyrrhus went straight for Rome along the via Appia and then the via Latina. He knew that if he continued on the via Appia he could be trapped in the marsh. Wary of such entrapment on the via Latina also, he withdrew without fighting after encountering opposition at Anagni. Wintering in Campania, he withdrew to Apulia in 279 BC, where, pursued by the Romans, he defeated them again at the Battle of Asculum. Withdrawing from Apulia for a Sicilian interlude, he returned to Apulia in 275 and started for Campania up the nice Roman road. Anagni, (Latin Anagnia) is an ancient town in Latium, Italy, in the hills east-southeast of Rome, famous for its connections with the papacy and for the picturesque monuments of its unspoiled historical center. ... For other uses, see Campania (disambiguation). ... This article is bad because of the Italian region. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC - 270s BC - 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 284 BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC - 279 BC - 278 BC 277 BC 276... The Battle of Asculum took place in 279 BC between the Romans under the command of consul Publius Decius Mus and the combined Tarantine, Oscan, Samnites, and Epiriotic forces, under the command of king Pyrrhus of Epirus. ...

Supplied by that same road, the Romans successfully defended the region against Pyrrhus, who won his “Pyrrhic victory” at the Battle of Beneventum (not yet named that) in 275 BC, suffering such losses that he had to withdraw. The Romans lost twice as many, but they could replace those men, while Pyrrhus could not. As it is the habit of soldiers everywhere to twist place names, the Roman soldiers changed Maloenton to Maleventum, “the place of the bad winds.” Consequently, Roman magistrates placing a colony there in 268 BC renamed it Beneventum, “the place of the good winds.” Combatants Roman Republic Epirus, Magna Graecia Commanders Manius Curius Dentatus Pyrrhus of Epirus The Battle of Beneventum (275 BC) was the last battle fought between the forces of Pyrrhus of Epirus (without Samnite allies) and the Romans, led by consul Manius Curius Dentatus. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC Years: 280 BC 279 BC 278 BC 277 BC 276 BC - 275 BC - 274 BC 273 BC... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC - 260s BC - 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC 273 BC 272 BC 271 BC 270 BC 269 BC 268 BC - 267 BC 266 BC 265...

Exiting by the back door at Brundisium, the ancient port of embarkation for Greece, Pyrrhus left for easier fields of battle. The Romans pushed the via Appia to there in 264 BC. The itinerary from Benvenutum was now Venusia, Tarentum, Uria and Brundisium. The Roman Republic was the government of Italy, for the time being. Appius Claudius had died in 273, but in extending the road a number of times, no one had tried to displace his name upon it. Brundisium (Gr. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC - 260s BC - 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC Years: 269 BC 268 BC 267 BC 266 BC 265 BC - 264 BC - 263 BC 262 BC... Venusia (modern Venosa) was an ancient city of Basilicata, Italy, on the Via Appia, about 10 km south of the river Aufidus (Ofanto), and not far from the boundary of Lucania. ... Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ... species For other uses, see Uria (disambiguation). ... Brundisium (Gr. ...

Spartacus

Emperor Trajan built a deviation of Via Appia. This is a tract of Via Appia Traiana near Egnatia.

In 73 BC, a slave revolt (known as the Third Servile War) under the ex-gladiator of Capua, Spartacus, broke out against the Romans. The latter defeated many Roman armies, but unwittingly moved his forces into the historic trap in Apulia/Calabria, where he hoped to escape from Brindusium. The Romans were well acquainted with the region. Legions were brought home from abroad and Spartacus fell into the very sort of trap the Romans had had to buy their way out of at Caudium and that Pyrrhus had tried so hard to evade: he was penned between armies. On his defeat the Romans judged that the slaves had broken their contract and had forfeited the right to live. In 71 BC, they were executed by crucifixion, a standard method. Some 6,000 crosses lined the via Appia all the way to Capua. Image File history File links Viatraiana-egnaziartp. ... Image File history File links Viatraiana-egnaziartp. ... This article is about the Roman Emperor. ... Egnatia can refer to: Gnatia, an ancient town in southern Italy. ... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 120s BC 110s BC 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC - 70s BC - 60s BC 50s BC 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC Years: 78 BC 77 BC 76 BC 75 BC 74 BC - 73 BC - 72 BC 71 BC 70... Combatants Army of escaped slaves Roman Republic Commanders Crixus †, Oenomaus †, Spartacus † , Castus †, Gannicus † Gaius Claudius Glaber, Publius Varinius, Gnaeus Clodianus, Lucius Gellius Publicola, Gaius Cassius Longinus, Gnaeus Manlius, Marcus Licinius Crassus, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus, Lucius Quinctius, Gnaeus Tremellius Scrofa Strength 120,000 escaped slaves and gladiators... This article is about the historical figure. ... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 120s BC 110s BC 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC - 70s BC - 60s BC 50s BC 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC Years: 76 BC 75 BC 74 BC 73 BC 72 BC - 71 BC - 70 BC 69 BC 68...

Trajan

The emperor Trajan built the Via Traiana, an extension of the Via Appia from Beneventum, reaching Brundisium via Canusium and Barium rather than via Tarentum. This was commemorated by an arch at Beneventum. This article is about the Roman Emperor. ... For Arabian road, see Via Traiana Nova Extension by the emperor Trajan of the Via Appia from Beneventum, reaching Brundisium by a shorter route (ie via Canusium and Barium rather than via Tarentum). ... Benevento is a town and archiepiscopal see of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 32 miles northeast of Naples. ... Brundisium (Gr. ... View of Canosa Canosa is a town in Apulia, population 30,374, in southern Italy, between Bari and Foggia, located in the Province of Bari. ... For other uses, see Bari (disambiguation). ... Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ... Benevento is a town and archiepiscopal see of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 32 miles northeast of Naples. ...

Anzio

The column in Brindisi, marking the end of Via Appia.

In 1943, the Allies fell into the very trap Pyrrhus had retreated to avoid, in the Pontine fields, the successor to the Pontine marshes. The marsh remained despite numerous efforts to drain it until engineers working for Mussolini finally succeeded. Even so, the fields were infested with malarial mosquitos until the advent of DDT in 1950s. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1200x1600, 675 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Brindisi ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1200x1600, 675 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Brindisi ... Brindisi is an ancient city in the Italian region of Puglia, the capital of the province of Brindisi. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Benito Mussolini created a fascist state through the use of propaganda, total control of the media and disassembly of the working democratic government. ... For other uses, see DDT (disambiguation). ... The 1950s decade refers to the years 1950 to 1959 inclusive. ...

Hoping to break a stalemate at Monte Cassino, the allies landed on the coast of Italy at Anzio, ancient Antium, which was midway between Ostia and Terracina. When they landed the place was undefended. They hoped to move along the line of the via Appia to take Rome, outflanking Monte Cassino, but they did not do so quickly enough. The Germans swiftly occupied Mounts Laziali and Lepini along the track of the old Via Latina, from which they rained down a hail of shells on Anzio. Even though the allies expanded into all the Pontine region, they could avail nothing. The Germans counterattacked down the via Appia from the Alban hills in a front four miles wide, but could not retake Anzio. The battle lasted for four months, one side being supplied by sea, the other by land through Rome. In May 1944, the Allies broke out from Anzio and quickly took Rome, although the German forces escaped to the north of Florence. The restored Abbey. ... // Anzio is a city and resort on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about 33 miles south of Rome. ... Ostia Antica was the harbor of ancient Rome and perhaps its first colonia. ... Terracina is a town and comune of the province of Latina - (until 1934 of the province of Rome), Italy, 76 km SE of Rome by rail (56 km by the Via Appia). ... The Via Latina, or the Latin Way, was a Roman road of Italy, running southeast from Rome for about 200 km. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... This article is about the city in Italy. ...

Road as an antique

Via Appia Antica.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the road fell out of use; Pope Pius VI ordered its restoration. A new Appian Way was built in parallel with the old one in 1784 as far as the Alban Hills region. The new is the via Appia nuova as opposed to the old section, now a tourist attraction, the via Appia antica. Wide parts of the original road have been preserved, and some are now used by cars (for example, in the area of Velletri). Along the part of the road closest to Rome, one can see many tombs and catacombs of Roman and early Christian origin. Also the Church of Domine Quo Vadis is in the first mile of the road. The road inspires the last movement of Ottorino Respighi's Pini di Roma. To this day the Via Appia still contains the longest stretch of straight road of Europe^[3] for 62km. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1840x1232, 696 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1840x1232, 696 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Appian Way Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Motto Senatus Populusque Romanus The Western Roman Empire in 395. ... Pius VI, born Giovanni Angelo Braschi (December 27, 1717 – August 29, 1799), Pope from 1775 to 1799, was born at Cesena. ... 1784 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Velletri is a comune in the province of Rome, on the Alban Hills, in Lazio (Latium) - Italy. ... Chiesa di Santa Maria in Palmis, better known as Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis? is a small church southeast of Rome. ... Elsa and Ottorino Respighi in the 1920s Ottorino Respighi (Bologna, July 9, 1879 - Rome, April 18, 1936) was an Italian composer, musicologist, pianist, violist and violinist. ... Pini di Roma (Italian “Pines of Rome”) is a 1924 work by the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, and is considered one of the masterpieces of the Roman Trilogy of symphonic poems along with Feste Romane and Fontane di Roma. ...

Monuments along the Via Appia

"Appian Way" as it appeared in Piranesi's imagination (1756).

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 567 pixelsFull resolution (1453 × 1030 pixel, file size: 291 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Appian Way, Piranesis frontispiece for La antichità romane II (1756). ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 567 pixelsFull resolution (1453 × 1030 pixel, file size: 291 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Appian Way, Piranesis frontispiece for La antichità romane II (1756). ... Giovanni Battista (also Giambattista) Piranesi (4th October 1720 in Mogliano Veneto (near Treviso) - 9th November 1778 in Rome) was an Italian artist famous for his etchings of Rome and of fictitious prisons. Etching of the Pyramid of Cestius Piranesi studied his art at Rome, where the remains of that city...

IVth mile

Porta Appia, the gate of the Aurelian Walls

Vth mile

• Mausoleum of the Orazi and Curiazi
• Villa dei Quintili, with ninpheum, theatre, and baths
• Mausoleum of Casal Rotondo

VIth mile and beyond

• Minucia tomb
• Torre Selce
• Temple of Hercules
• Berrettia di Prete (tomb and later church)
• Mausoleum of Gallienus

Gallienus depicted on a lead seal Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus (218-268) ruled the Roman Empire as co-emperor with his father Valerian from 253 to 260, and then as the sole Roman Emperor from 260 to 268. ...

References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2007)

Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Roman roads
• Three Taverns
• Appian Way, Burwood, Sydney

A Roman road in Pompeii The Romans, as a military, commercial and political expedient, became adept at constructing roads; many long sections of them are ruler-straight, but it should not be thought that all of them were. ... Three Taverns, a place on the great Appian Way, about 11 miles from Rome, designed for the reception of travellers, as the name indicates. ... Appian Way is a street located in the suburb of Burwood in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Via Appia

• Via Appia Antica From Torre In Selci To Frattocchie
• Via Appia Antica From Cecilia Metella To Torre In Selci
• The Via Appia And The Cities Of The Pontine Plain
• Documentary Film about the Sassi di Matera and the Appian Way, Roba Forestiera, 44 min., 2004
• New York Times article on condition of Appian Way in modern times

Roman Empire | Roman roads

Via Aemilia | Via Aemilia Scauri | Via Agrippa | Via Amerina | Via Anicia | Via Appia | Via Aquillia | Via Aquitania | Via Asturica Burdigalam | Via Augusta | Via Augusta Pretoria | Via Aurelia | Via Bracara Asturicam | Via Cassia | Via Claudia Augusta | Via Augusta | Via Clodia | Via Confluentana | Via Corsica | Via Decia | Via Delapidata | Via Devana | Via Domitia | Via Domitiana | Via Egnatia | Via Fenollentis | Via Flaminia | Via Gallica | Via Julia Augusta | Via Labicana | Via Latina | Via Lusitanorum | Via Mala | Via Militaris | Via Ostiensis | Via Popilia | Via Postumia | Via Salaria | Via Traiana Nova | Via Valeria | Via Vallespiri