They built roads straight as a ruler could allow, cutting every bend that would slow a legion’s march. The Via Appia, for example, ran almost directly from Rome to Brindisi, saving weeks on a campaign that would otherwise be delayed by detours. Each road was laid in layers: a compacted sand base, large stone slabs on top, and a smooth surface that could handle heavy carts. By standardising width—about 4.5 to 6 metres—military units could march side by side, and supply wagons could keep pace. Milestones every kilometre gave precise distances so logistics could be calculated: a legion could cover roughly 25 kilometres a day, and the army could reach a new fort within two weeks of a fresh conscription. Maintenance was organised in local cohorts who spent a portion of their service repairing roads; this meant routes were rarely impassable even during winter. In sum, straight lines, uniform construction, regular checkpoints, and a disciplined repair system kept the empire’s armies moving faster than any rival could hope to slow them.