Roman roads in Judaea

The Roman roads in Judaea form an extensive network built in the Roman period in the Roman province of Judaea (later Syria Palaestina). Remains of some still exist.

The purpose of constructing these roads in ancient Rome was to establish an extensive network of thoroughfares, similar to those found throughout the Roman Empire.^[1] These roads primarily served the movement of Roman military units and also facilitated public transportation, including mail delivery and travel for central government officials. Additionally, the roads played an economic role in transporting goods and people.^[1]

Some of the roads in the Judaea were paved following the First Jewish–Roman War (66–73), some during the time of Roman emperor Hadrian, and some during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.^[2] The prominent characteristic of these roads was their use of the most convenient route possible from one point to another: a route that avoided natural obstacles, remained passable throughout the year, and had a gentle slope – suitable for pedestrian travel, riding, and vehicle passage. Along the roads, milestones were erected to mark the distance and direction, and there were forts and watchtowers where soldiers guarded the roads.^[2][3]

There are modern roads in Israel that utilize the routes of the ancient Roman roads. The most prominent example is the Ashkelon–Kiryat Gat–Hebron road (today Highway 35), which ascends to Hebron along a winding route with minimal incline. However, most of the ancient Roman roads in modern Israel were destroyed by the British, who paved roads over them.^[4]

From the headquarters of the Legio VI Ferrata, which camped at Legio, a strategic location on the Caesarea–Beit She'an road in the southern foothills of the Jezreel Valley near the modern Megiddo junction, roads were constructed in the year 120 CE to the provincial capital Caesarea,^[5] to Sepphoris,^[6] and to Acre.^[2]