Engineering · Roman Empire Daily
Major Roman roads were built up in several layers and slightly arched so rain would run off.
Deep dive
Engineers laid a foundation of stones (statumen), then rubble and gravel, topped with fitted paving. The cambered surface and side ditches kept the roadbed draining and durable for centuries.
Source: Vitruvius, 'On Architecture,' 7.1; Statius, 'Silvae,' 4.3 (on road-building).
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