Remains of Roman tombs lining the Appian Way (begun 312 BC), Rome.
Appian Way, Latin Via Appia., First and most famous of the ancient Roman roads, running from Rome to Campania and southern Italy. Begun in 312 bc by the censor Appius Claudius Caecus, the road originally ran 132 mi (212 km) to ancient Capua; by 244 bc it extended 230 mi (370 km) to the port of Brundisium (Brindisi) in Italy’s heel. Built of smoothly fitted blocks of lava on a heavy stone foundation, the road provided a long-lasting surface for transporting merchandise to these seaports (and thence by ship to Greece and the eastern Mediterranean). Remains can be seen today outside Rome.
