Classical Studies 2700A/B Lecture 5: Classics 2700B Lecture 5
27 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
Not for trade: reasons why not (including cost: in roman emp. for every hundred miles grain, wine, and oil were transported by land, price doubled) Reasons for road-building came with development of early empires in middle. East and need for rapid movement of dispatches; also development and widespread adoption of war-chariot c. 1600 bc created need for something better than simple tracks. Early history of use of the horse and development of cavalry. Paved roads before this time v. rare and exceptionally expensive. N. b. distinction between a cleared level, graveled surface and a paved road; sometimes short stretches of road were paved; e. g. , between a capital and an important shrine, as at hittite capital of hattushash c. 1400 bc. Minoans and mycenaeans in aegean area in late bronze age developed finished (but not paved) surfaces c. 3. 5 metres wide with bridges and culverts to keep them drained in rainy season.
