Sinan ALTUN

The Roman Empire, famous for its roads, always prioritized maritime transportation for travel. The primary reason for this was first the cost and then the ease of sea transport compared to land transportation. Additionally, it made it possible to carry large quantities of goods at once. However, maritime transportation was dependent on seasonal conditions. Moreover, there were many settlements in inland regions, and their needs had to be met. In such cases, land transportation inevitably became the preferred method. The presence of land connections between cities in antiquity is known thanks to material evidence dating back to the 7th century BC. Political, architectural, and commercial factors were decisive in making the Roman Empire great, but alongside these factors, the road policy implemented across the empire by the administration also played a significant role in the empire’s expansion and in maintaining its greatness. Anatolia, acting as a natural bridge between Asia and Europe, was kept under control by the Roman Empire through the construction of new roads from scratch and the repair and maintenance of existing roads, as needed, to establish and maintain Roman dominance over these lands. These actions were carried out by governors appointed by Rome. One of the most famous among them was Manius Aquillius, the Asia legate, whose name frequently appears on milestones in Asia. Various roads in the northern, central, and eastern parts of Anatolia were primarily built for military reasons. This construction process began with Emperor Augustus and reached its peak under the Flavian dynasty. This article aims to provide a glimpse into this road policy by examining Roman roads in Anatolia on a regional basis. In Asia, the Via Sebaste includes two important roads shaped and named by the empire. The Via Egnatia, which starts from the city of Rome and extends to Perinthos, stands out as the first major road built outside of Italy by the Roman Empire at the time of its construction. After the ancient road remains in Anatolia, milestones provide the most important data, as they offer significant insights into the dating and routes of these roads.

Keywords: Roman Roads, Anatolia, Route, Manius Aquillius, Via Sebaste, Via Egnatia.