You write: Summum dorsum the top layer of a Roman road
Slide 6
The field engineer, assisted by a stake man aligned the road
with a groma and ran levels with chorobates.gromachorobates The
Groma was used as a sighting device for roads, aqueducts and
buildings. The weights on the end of each point of the crossbar
sights were to make sure that the groma was kept perpendicular to
the ground.
Slide 7
You write: Groma a device used to build roads in a straight
line.
Slide 8
A Chorobate was used to ensure a construction was level. This
tool was over 10' ft. long. Water poured into the long groove
running down the middle of the top of the Chorobate indicated when
it was "level".
Slide 9
You write: chorobate a device used to make sure roads were
level
Slide 10
A plow was used to loosen the soil and mark the trench (fossa)
margins. Workmen dug trenches for a roadbed with a depth of 6 to 9
feet, carrying away the dirt in baskets. (fossa)
Slide 11
You write: 6 to 9 feet the depth of a Roman road
Slide 12
The earthen bed was tamped firm. The foundation of lime mortar
or sand was laid to form a level base (pavimentum). Next came
stones of about 4 to 5 in. in diameter, cemented together with
mortar or clay (statument). This layer could be anywhere from 10
inches to 2 feet deep. (pavimentum) (statument)
Slide 13
The next course (rudus) was 9 to 12 inches of concrete filled
with shards of pottery or stone. Atop this layer was the nucleus, a
concrete made of gravel or sand and lime, poured in layers with
each layer compacted with a roller. This layer was one foot at the
sides and 18 inc. at the crown of the road. The curvature was to
allow good drainage to the finished road.(rudus)
Slide 14
The top course was the summum dorsum, polygonal blocks of stone
that were 6 inches or more thick and carefully fitted atop the
still moist concrete. When a road bed became overly worn, this top
course was removed, the stones turned over and replaced. A road was
9 to 12 feet wide which allowed 2 chariots to pass in each
direction. Sometimes the road was edged with a high stone walkway.
summum dorsum
Slide 15
You write: 9 12 feet the width of a Roman road
Slide 16
Milemarkers indicated the distance. A cart, fitted with a
hodometer was used to measure distances. Later maps detailed
routes, miles towns, inns, mountains and rivers. The first roads
were quite straight going over hills rather than around
them.hodometer
Slide 17
Slide 18
You write: Hodometer used to measure distances
Slide 19
A segment of the Appian Way - Just past the tomb of Scipios
stands this impressive arch, sometimes called the Arch of Drusus.
It was built in the 3rd Century A.D. to carry the Aqueduct Aqua in
across the Via Appia. Drusus, father of Emperor Claudius, died in 9
B.C. and a no longer existent arch had been built in his honor near
this site, ergo the name. Behind the arch one can see the tower of
the Appia gate, today called the Porta San Sebastiano. The Appia
gate allows travelers to pass through the Aurelian Walls. The road
seen here has modern paving blocks over the ancient road.
Slide 20
The ancient paving blocks and substructure of the ancient road
serve as a base for a layer of modern pavement. Remains of tombs
line the road.
Slide 21
A road in Saepinum, a wool trading city in Campania.
Slide 22
A close-up of Via Jugaria at the foot of Capitoline Hill. This
road had led from the Forum Romanum to the Forum Holitarium
(vegetable market) and the Tiber river.
Slide 23
A road in Pstum - Pstum was founded by Greek colonists in
southern Campania (Italy) on the coast of the Tyrrenean Sea.
Slide 24
A road in Pompeii - Notice the raised stones which allow
pedestrians to cross without picking up the dirt of the road in
their shoes. The spaces between the blocks were spaced
appropriately for the wheels of carts.
Slide 25
One-way in Pompeii - This narrow corridor with a crossing block
was probably a via unica (one-way street).
Slide 26
Entombed outside the city precincts - Notice the tombs lining
this street in Pompeii - a reminder that tombs were not allowed
within city walls throughout the empire.
Slide 27
Slide 28
You write: Cats eye white stones in the road which shine when
lit by torches.
