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The Roman roads in Britain were highways of the Roman Empire during the four centuries Britain was a Roman Province. The Roman Army constructed and maintained paved trunk roads (i.e. surfaced highways) throughout nearly four centuries of occupation (43 – 410 AD).〔(''Map of Roman Britain'', Ordnance Survey )〕 Most of the known network was complete by 180 AD. Its primary function was to allow the rapid movement of troops and military supplies. It also provided vital infrastructure for commerce, trade and the transportation of goods. Although some Roman roads remained in use as core trunk roads for centuries after the Romans withdrew from Britain in 410 AD, systematic construction of paved highways did not resume in England until the early 18th century. The Roman-road network remained the only nationally-managed highway system within Britain until the establishment of the Ministry of Transport in the early 20th century. Prior to the Roman conquest of Britain, pre-Roman Britons mostly used unpaved trackways for travel. These routes, many of which had prehistoric origins, followed elevated ridge lines across hills, e.g. South Downs Way. Although most routes were unpaved tracks, some British tribes had begun engineering roads during the first century BC. Beginning in 43 AD, the Romans quickly created a national road network. Engineers from the Roman Army - in most cases - surveyed and built them from scratch. Key locations, both strategic and administrative, were connected by the most direct routes possible. Main roads were gravel or paved, had bridges constructed in stone or wood, and manned waypoints where travellers or military units could stop and rest. The roads' impermeable design permitted travel in all seasons and weather. Following the withdrawal of the Roman Legions in 410 AD, the road system eventually fell into disrepair. Parts of the network were retained by the Anglo-Saxons, eventually becoming integral routes in Anglo-Saxon Britain; however large sections were abandoned and lost. ==Main routes== The initial road network was built by the army to facilitate military communications. The emphasis was therefore on linking up army bases, rather than catering for economic flows.〔Cambridge Ancient History, Vol, ''The Augustan Empire''〕 Thus, three important cross-routes were established connecting the major legionary bases by as the frontier of the Roman-occupied zone advanced: * Exeter (''Isca'') – Lincoln (''Lindum'') * Gloucester (''Glevum'') – York (''Eboracum'') * Caerleon (''Isca'') – York via Wroxeter (''Viroconium'') and Chester (''Deva'') Later a large number of other cross-routes and branches were grafted onto this basic network. After Boudica's Revolt, London (''Londinium'') commanded the major bridge across the Thames connecting the final northern and western legionary bases with the Kentish ports communicating with Bolougne (''Gesoriacum'') and the rest of the Empire. Six core roads were constructed tying the new capital to the existing network. Ignoring their later English names, they are as follows: * London – Canterbury (''Durovernum''). At Canterbury, this route split into 4 major branches to the major Roman ports: * * Canterbury – Richborough Castle (''Rutupiae'') * * Canterbury – Dover (''Portus Dubris'') * * Canterbury – Lympne (''Portus Lemanis'') * * Canterbury – Reculver (''Regulbium'') * London – Chichester (''Noviomagus''), another port * London – Silchester (''Calleva Atrebatum''). At Silchester, this route split into 3 major branches: * * Silchester – Portchester (''Portus Adurni''), another port, via Winchester (''Venta'') and Southampton (''Clausentum'') * * Silchester – Old Sarum (''Sorviodunum''), offering connections to Exeter and Dorchester (''Durnovaria'') * * Silchester – Caerleon, base of the 2nd legion, via Gloucester * London – Chester, base of the 20th legion, via St Albans (''Verulamium''), Lichfield (''Letocetum''), and Wroxeter and with continuation to Carlisle (''Luguvalium'') on Hadrian's Wall * London – York, base of the 9th and 6th legions, via Lincoln and with continuation to Corbridge (''Coria'') on Hadrian's Wall * London – Colchester (''Camulodunum''), with continuation to Caistor St Edmund (''Venta'') 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Roman roads in Britain」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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