Roman Trade Routes
Goods were continually transported throughout the Roman Empire.
The
most effective way to transport goods was by sea. The type of ship commonly
used by the Romans was known as a Corbitas. It is described as "a round-hulled
ship with curving prow and stern. Depending on its size, it could carry cargo
weighing between 70 and 350 ton" (Snedden 1998, pg. 41). Ships could carry
as many as six hundred passengers or six thousdand amphorae (clay jars) of wine,
oil, or other liquids. Ships transported more goods in a shorter amount of time
than could be moved overland. It took only two to three weeks by ship to go
from Egypt to Rome. In order to increase the effectiveness of shipping, the
Romans developed deep harbors at key locations. One of the largest harbors was
at Ostia, about 15 miles from Rome on the Mediterranean Coast. In A.D. 50, a
lighthouse was set up at Ostia to guide sailors. At its peak, Rome set up lighthouses
in forty different locations to aid sailors. Pompey the Great promised the senate
that the pirate threat on the Mediterranean Sea would be eliminated. When the
threat was removed, Rome was able to get its much needed grain shipments for
its citizens.
| 16-21 days | Alexandria to Ostia |
| 9-10 days | Alexandria to Antichia |
| 10-12 days | Byzantium to Gaza |
| 3-5 Days | Ostia to Carthago |
| 9-10 days | Ostia to Gades |
| 20 days | Rome to Caesaria |
Roman Farming | Roman Gladiators | Roman Medicine | Metals and Crafts
Roman Shopping | Roman Slaves | Roman Trade Routes | Roman Roads
