Along the Appian Way
Summary
Travel the Via Appia, the Queen of Roads
Dubbed by the poet Statius the regina viarum, the Via Appia was Rome’s first major artery out of the city and remains its most famous. Originally built in 312 BC under the Censor Appius Claudius Caecus, the road was built in order to facilitate troop movement out of the city, thereby subduing the Samnites. While the original end point was Capua, it was later extended to Beneventum and finally to Brundisium. This road, which started in the Roman forum, where the master itinerarium which listed the cities it passed was placed, witnessed famous historical events, such as the assassination of Clodius and the crucifixion of 6,000 of Spartacus’ followers. The journey up this road from Beneventum to Rome offers you a fascinating glimpse into the way in which Rome first subdued and then united Italy through roads, while taking us to spectacular sites en route, such as the amphitheatre of Capua, the spectacular Sant’Angelo in Formis, as well as the haunting remains found on road outside Rome.
What to Expect
- Visit the superbly preserved underground sanctuary of Mithras of Capua with its intact fresçoes and shrine
- Explore Minturnae, a little-known archaeological site which contains a section of the Via Appia
- Walk down the Via Appia in Rome, seeing ancient remains, like the Porta San Sebastiano
