Part A

Short-Answer Questions

Directions: Analyze the documents and answer the short-answer questions that follow each document in the

space provided.

Document 1

Purposes and Kinds of Roman Roads

Why did the Romans build roads? The Romans considered a well-organized and efficient

transportation system a basic element of proper administration; i.e. an indispensable element in

creating and maintaining the Roman state. The earliest highways or main roads were constructed

for the use of the military, and their economic benefit for civilians was a later byproduct and not

the main reason for their creation. The military nature of the roads continued to be essential as

Romans expanded into territory outside Italy. In the province of Arabia Petraea (which included

what is now Jordan), the movement of troops and ease of communication for the army and

Roman administration were the primary reasons for construction of the Via Nova, one of the

many viae militares or military roads built in conquered provinces. However, smaller, shorter,

and less well-constructed local roads (actus) or tracks (callis) also increased in territory after it

was brought under Roman control. Nevertheless, the main public highways (viae publicae)

normally began as military roads and only gradually evolved into civilian conduits [passageways].

Source: Virtual Karak Resources Project, An Appalachian College Association (adapted)


Based on this excerpt from the Virtual Karak Resources Project, what was one way the Romans used

roads to control their empire?