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Scientists Studied 185,896 Miles of Roman Roads-and That's Still the 'Tip of the Iceberg'

Gizmodo • September 15, 2026 • world

Key Points:

Archaeologist Tom Brughmans and colleagues created itiner-e, the largest map of the Roman road system, covering 186,411 miles, and their new analysis challenges several long-held assumptions about these roads.
The study reveals that Roman roads were not all centered on Rome, but rather more evenly distributed across the empire, especially around provincial capitals, with Constantinople becoming a more central hub in the later empire.
Contrary to popular belief, Roman roads were not always exceptionally straight; their routes depended heavily on local terrain, and the connection between ancient Roman roads and modern roads is less direct than previously thought.
The persistence of Roman roads today is overstated, as many have disappeared or been altered significantly over time, especially during and after the Industrial Revolution.
The researchers emphasize that the Roman road system was the first continent-wide transport network, crucial for military, administrative, and economic functions, and its extensive reach still influences modern interactions despite incomplete historical data.

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