Exploring The Appian Way - Ancient Rome's First Highway
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- Опубліковано 28 кві 2024
- The saying goes, all roads lead to Rome. The Appian Way, or Via Appia Antica, was the first road of Rome's highways to be built, and the road that set the standards for all to follow.
The Appian Way is known as "Regina Virus", the Queen of Roads, and it got its start in 312 BC, when it was planned by censor Appius Claudius Caecus as a fast road between Rome and Capua to more easily move soldiers. The road was extended over the following decades and centuries, extending as far as Brindisi by 191 BC.
Since its creation, the road has played a major part in the history of the Roman Empire and the world. With connections to such figures as Spartacus, Saint Peter, and a number of emperors of Rome. Traveling down the road you really get a feel for what Rome was like at another time.
We traveled the first seven or so miles of the Appian Way via e-bike, from its historical starting point of the Circus Maximus, past the catacombs and the Church of the Domine Quo Vadis, the Villa of Maxentius, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, the Villa of the Quintili and more.
While a lot of the historic sights in Rome, Italy can be extremely crowded, join us as we get away from everyone, and enjoy Rome as it once was, via the Appian Way.
We rented our e-bikes from Easy Bike Rent, located across the street from the Circus Maximus on the northwest corner.
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When I was in high school, I studied Latin, and we translated ancient stories about Rome. Several passages talked about the "Appian Way". I can't describe how it feels to actually see the road I only imagined so many years ago. This is so cool !! Thank you
I usually listen to UA-cam videos as I work and try to glance from time to time. Considering how detailed your narration is here, I’m definitely going to watch it on the big screen. Very cool details that I’ve never seen or heard of. Very glad you took the time to present this to the public 👌🏼.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Yep, I watch him in my big screen tv
Hope you aren't a brain surgeon.
While you're in Europe, you might think about Britain's many surviving Roman roads. This is a good one, thanks.
It's pretty amazing that a guy from America is telling me the history of the Roman Empire! But you have actually reproduced the more than two thousand year history of this city very vividly and captured it with really great pictures! Your report can only be praised highly! By the way: Rome was once the vibrant center of one of the largest empires that has ever existed. It stretched from Scotland's far north to North Africa and from Portugal's Atlantic coast in the west to far into the Middle East, where Iran and Iraq now lie. Whenever the Romans conquered a region, the first thing they did was to build roads in order to get their troops to the border areas as quickly as possible and to secure supplies. That's why back then all roads led to Rome... to the heart of this mighty empire! In addition, the Romans were absolutely brilliant builders, whose roads and fortifications have survived to this day. Many long-distance connections in Europe still take place on the original routes that were once laid out thanks to the Roman armies. These buildings are masterpieces that were made to last, which cannot necessarily be said about many buildings of our time. By the way, Rome is often referred to as the “eternal city!”
They didn't manage to invade Scotland. They gave up on that one and built Hadrians Wall, much of which still exists today. The wall runs quite close to the border between England and Scotland today.
@@ds1868 The Romans built the Antonine Wall which runs through what is today Central Scotland.
What a wonderful share Steve! Thank you so very much for including The Sidetrack Posse along with You All! I'm quite sure I'll never see this awesome country in person but you managed to give us all the next best thing. I've always been amazed at the size and quality of structures from so long ago that were built without the modern advances of today and they last longer than what is built now days! Great shot of St. Peter's Basilica's Dome @ 6:40! So much History, so much Brilliant Scenery! On a side note, I'm a Fan of "The Shark Tank" and one of The Sharks, Kevin O'Leary LOVES to say "All Roads Lead Back To Mr. Wonderful"...so your opening had me laughing!🤣 Cheers From COW-lumbus, Ohio MOO To ALL who Ride Along with Sidetrack Adventures!
Thanks. I was pretty surprised to see St. Peter's Basilica there, because it wasn't easy to see from much closer, but there it was. I feel bad for the poor souls that had to carry the blocks to the top of some of the monuments out there.
I’m a cyclist and I love seeing things up close and at slow speed. My Latin book in high school was called The Appian Way. It had photos of landmarks, statues, tombs etc. in Rome and Italy. I know you had a wonderful time cycling 🚴♂️ through the countryside. 👍☮️🌞🇮🇹
Cycling there was great. I wish I had a more cushioned seat because how bumpy it was, but other than that it was amazing. I'd have loved to go further but we had to get the bikes back.
Neat video - having lived in West Berlin back in the 80's always find it amazing what Europeans - especially Southern Europeans - Greeks and Italians consider OLD - while those of us here in the US - Here in San Tan Valley AZ while driving down Hunt Highway, this ancient structure was constructed in 2015 - it is an amazing 8 years old, remarkably it is still standing :)
Ha, we do have ancient structures they are just few and far between. As the crow flies you aren't too far from the Casa Grande Pueblo ruins.
Have you ever visited the Wupatki Ruins up NE of Flagstaff? I love that place.
Yeah, but did the Romans have strip malls? That's our classic architecture! Don't think balsa wood buildings will last thousands of years, though. I suppose the plastic parts will.
Absolutely great video. My wife and I always enjoy your shows, but this episode is really special. We've watched many travel shows that have gone to Rome, but unlike them, you didn't go to the same old places. Such a great idea. Keep up the good work. Thanks.
Thanks for bringing us along, Steve! Can’t wait to see what you have to share with us
Thank you.
Ah Italy I’m jealous. Huge thumbs up. Great episode. I too love ancient history and to imagine these ancient builders with just their tools of the time building these impressive structures, sometimes you just got to say how?
Yeah, I feel for whoever had to get some of those blocks to the top of some of the structures there.
Hi from Italy! Good job with your video, I loved it. The goats and sheeps are a recent re-introduction in various italian cities as they do an excellent work with the grass on the side of the streets while their bellies get full, so it's a win-win situation.
Excellent video! Love the photography and the ruins. I’m glad you were able to get out of the typical tourist stuff and make this video of the usually unseen attractions!
There’s nothing wrong with typical tourist stuff. It’s typical tourist stuff because it is significant and interesting.
Fascinating ancient history, great video Steve. Much of the Roman road network here in the UK fell into disrepair after the occupation of Britannia ended and the Romans departed although the routes were still used by later travellers. Along some of our modern roads you can still find long straight stretches of highway where the old Roman system acts as a foundation. I often travel the A12 trunk road between London (Roman Londinium) and Colchester (Roman Camulodunum) which has several fairly lengthy straight runs along the route.
Amazing to see! Thank you for allowing us to vicariously join you on another adventure.
Thank you for joining us!
Great video! Too bad the weather wasn’t nicer. To anyone watching; if you’re lucky enough to walk or bike the Appian Way, I recommend skipping the beginning section between the Arch of Drusus and the tomb of Cecelia Metella (or do it by car). Most of that part is a narrow canyon with traffic zooming by and skinny sidewalks/shoulders, and there’s not a lot to see anyway. We walked it and it was nerve wracking and noisy! But once you get close to Cecelia Metella there’s much less traffic and it widens out. That’s also a good area to get a snack or rent a bike. Head south from there and there’s only walkers, bikes, and the occasional horseback rider, and that’s where you start passing the beautiful views and all the ruins. The via crosses a few regular roads which are good places to catch an Uber when you’re done (if you’re on foot and don’t have to return a bike).
There are so many amazing places in Rome that most tourists never visit. The Appian Way is a bit out of the way, but other museums in or close to the center of town worth a visit are: Palazzo Massimo, Villa Farnesina, the Etruscan Museum and Palazzo Altemps. Another one that’s further out but really cool is Centrale Montemartini, it’s in an old power station, and the combination of ancient statues with 1920s giant dynamos is very striking and unexpected. None of these places have ever been crowded the several times I’ve visited.
I've been to the Eternal City of Roma multiple times (including just last month), but I never had a chance to visit many of the sites you showed. Thank you for this wonderful video. Subscribed!
Thank you, I appreciate it.
I used to live in Wiesbaden, Germany. The street I lived on had a Roman milestone right in the middle. Amazing to see how much of the old Empire still exists.
WoW! So much history in just a 5 mile stretch of road. Simply amazing!
Superb video tour, my friend. We're on our way to Rome in two weeks and now I've got another thing to explore. The amount of history along this road is mind boggling. Thanks for this excellent tour and insight.
This is the best video I have seen of the Appian Way, even t.v documentaries have not come close to being as informative or as beautiful as this video. Thankyou so much for this.
I did a similar bike trip along the Via Appia Antica a few years ago. If you wanted to go and see the Aqueduct Park, you would have had to turn left (northeast) off the Via Appia Antica and cross the new Via Appia highway to get to the aqueducts. Around 15:20 into your video, you present the tomb of the Orazi and Curiazi, the champions of Rome and their rival city Alba Longa, and if you had turned left at the crossroads next to it, you would have been on your way to the aqueducts.
Along the way, you would also have found some of the farms where the sheep you encountered would be grazing, places where the beggar kids you may have seen in the city center seem to hang out, and on the other side of the highway, an upper middle class suburb and a rugby, tennis, and golf club. Some of the aqueducts are still carrying cool water from the mountains to Rome, although a notice tells you not to drink it.
more!!!!!!! please...this was great!
Thank you.
Thanks for bringing us along, my wife was born along the Appian way in Montesarchio, (Mountian of Ceramics) historically built on top of the town of Cadium, destroyed by the romans for giving aid to their enemy long before Italy was a united country.
That's really cool. Its crazy to think how much history has happened along this road.
I’m so glad that my algorithm picked this video! That was a great little tour, thanks for sharing! 😃🐄👍🏻
Wow, Steve, I am impressed how detailed you guide this part of Roman history. I was on Via Appia Antica in Ostia, the former harbor of Roma, in 1974 and saw only a few hundred meters of the Via Appia. I grew up along the Neckar River in Germany, if you ever consider travelling the Burgenstrasse in Germany, let me know, I can give you some hints and tips of the area, where Kaiser Barbarossa built houses more than 1000 years ago, which are still there today. My name is Georg.
I will for sure. I would love to visit Germany again. I visited as a kid in 1993, but have always wanted to go back and spend more time.
What you saw was the ancient Via Ostiensis. The Via Appia heads south-southest from Rome, while The Via Ostiensis west-southwest.
Thank you for the information, one never stops learning.
Ostia is an amazing place to visit. It’s an entire ancient Roman town, much of it as intact as Pompeii.
You had me puzzled there for a bit, wondering how there was an Appian Way in the U.S. Southwest! 😆
Great tour filled with respectfully presented historical details - thank you, and a really nice selection of background music to enhance it all.
Superbly done video!
It is wonderful to listen to a video that plays lovely music in the background, as opposed to so many that drown out the narration or do not complement the mood.
Really enjoyed the video. I love traveling in California and visiting historic sites. What I kept thinking about while watching this was that in California, a historic site, or building, or ruins, is considered historic if it's 100 years old or so. In contrast you were visiting sites that are 2000 years old or older. Wow.
Yeah, it's pretty amazing. You almost get to the point where you aren't as impressed when you find out something there is from the 1500s lol
Your videos sure are amazing. Keep um coming.👍🙏🇺🇲
Thanks 👍
having studied Latin a lot in high school [60 years ago], I am truly fascinated by all that you have seen here - thank you for sharing!
Steve, long time viewer, from Australia, first time commenter. Fascinating video, on many levels. First the shock of seeing your subject! Double take! Second, listening to your voice and the familiar music, I kept getting flashes of the deserts of western USA! Such a contrast!
Your videos are such easy, and pleasing, viewing! Thank you!
Thanks, I really appreciate it.
What a great video! I enjoy all your videos, but this is one of the best. I don't know another YT channel where you can learn so much fascinating history in such a relaxing way. You're an amazing story-teller and editor, Steve!
Thank you for this really great and atmospheric video, transmitting not only info but a feeling as well.
When in Rome! I enjoyed your footage of the highway, and the history is fascinating!
Thank you.
This is amazing! Whenever I see you have a new video, I watch it FIRST! No lie!
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Thanks for another great trip Steve - appreciate all your planning and history insights.
wow steve, thanks for taking me along with you, my dad is from malta, ive got to go there 😊
If you get a chance, I really recommend it. You get to see a lot of Roman history with none of the crowds of a lot of the other places around Rome.
I've been fortunate to have traveled to Italy on three separate occasions but I never thought of hopping on a bike and peddling through the ancient roads of Rome like you have. It's all the motivation I need to try it myself! Great video, thanks for producing it 🚲
Thanks for the history tour… while on a military deployment during the First Gulf War, we got to visit Rome and see a bit of the Via Apia.
San Diego guy here. I LOVE your San Diego cap!
Steve, you did a FABULOUS job on the editing of this video! Well done! What a treat to get to 'travel the Appian Way' while sitting in my living room! Looking forward to your next adventure.
I like your way to tell stories. I am from Finland, and is fascinating listen your stories in the Old West. And history of Rome is always inttresting. Thank you.
Thanks Steve:
This was really special.
I also like going down a new road.
Chris
Fascinating video! Thanks for exploring the amazing Roman road. I love the detail you always share in natural language.
Thank you.
You are a breath of fresh air, a light in all this darkness! I so love your videos. Thank you, good sir❤
Thanks for sharing this amazing video; I’m obsessed with Roman history and would love to visit Rome and the Appian Way.
I live within walking distance of part of the Fosse Way, a Roman road from Exeter in Devon to Lincoln, via Bath, Cirencester and Leicester. Unfortunately parts of it are now tarmac roads or just not used anymore, although most of the original course is shown on Ordnance Survey maps…in Southwest England we seem to prefer narrow winding roads to wide straight ones!
One day I hope to visit Rome and see this for myself🏛️
Way cool Steve! Thank You for sharing your vacation with us! 🙏
Hearing about Roman roads in the past made me appreciate your UA-cam video. I liked it and I need to watch it again.
This channel just gets better and better. Fantastic work.
One of your best videos yet. Definitely going to try to do this next time in Rome. Super cool. Thank you for posting.
I really enjoy your narration, and the calm music. History is really such a wild subject to think about. Thanks for sharing.
I came for the content and enjoyed your tour ,history is for all to enjoy thanks for posting !
I did this road many moons ago. The beauty is beyond words.
Thanks for taking us along on your trip. Enjoy your time. 😊
Sidetrack Adventures goes international!🤩
I love Roman history and have seen a few videos describing the Appian Way, some of them produced by professional historians with camera crews. Of all the videos I have seen, yours takes the prize! Your narrations convey your excitement and wonderment and makes your story telling very enjoyable. As noted before, I am glad I found your channel! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your journey. Loved the history beats peppered throughout your video. You have helped rekindle my desire to visit Rome one day.
Great great content, thank you for taking the time and explain more about the beautiful Rome, hope you had a blast!
So many things to see. I missed all this last time I was in Rome. Fantastic to see it in detail from your video. Thank you.
Thank you for showing all of this. I’ve been meaning to go out there to walk on this road. Maybe I can head out there tomorrow morning so I can see all of this history. Thank you again.
Yo I remember you were just in CA,AZ, and Nevada it’s crazy how much you’ve progressed in 3 years
I'll have something from the southwest next week!
Love this one Steve! I didn't know the Appian Way went so far! Hubby and I are from Arizona so we enjoy all the Arizona, California, and West Coast videos. You really hit it out of the park for this! I love out of the way spots when I vacation. Hope you had a fabulous trip!
Beautiful video Steve. I bet it was very hard to not stop at every tomb and structure. Thanks for your hard work!
i was on this road in1995....had lunch on it...phenomenal experience
Steve !!! 🤓
Welcome to Europe and thank you so much for another great Video !
Taking us and your wife with you onto that beautiful long and old historic road out of Rome was wonderful !
Thank you so much 👍🏻
… there are much more roads ahead Steve !!!
Greetings from Berlin
Marvelous! What an awesome video! I am italian although not from Rome and i've travelled along Appia Antica a couple of times .... Your video is spot on and very well made, absolutely precious content that everyone should see!!!
Very happy youtube highlighted this video, what a gem. I never realised the road was this beautiful.
This is one of the BEST, most interesting videos on Via Appia I've ever seen!!! So interesting, and detailed, that I felt like I was walking - or biking :) right next to you! Thank you so much for this awesome video!!!
What an amazing adventure! Thank you for sharing this. I always enjoy your videos. This is an extra special one!
Thank you.
Loved watching this video brother. It’s truly remarkable how much is still there. I will definitely be taking a trip down the Appian Way!
Loved the video!! Made me feel ancient roman for a moment haha! You showed more than many history documentaries out there. Thanks for the historical ride.
Hi.
Very much enjoyed your video on this very interesting subject.
Impressed with your knowledge/research and filming.
Thanks!
Big surprise! How cool! Sidetrack Adventures goes international! Safe travels, and God bless you and your family!
I really enjoyed this. I know I will never experience any of these places you visit, so the GoPro view is such a treat. Thank you for sharing.
I walked the Appian way on two different trips to Rome and i was blown away each time. Been to Rome 3 times and still haven’t seen it all
Incredible information and narratives. Very unique in its originality. Amazing details with equally matching historical videos.
Steve you never fail to deliver entertaining, interesting and informative videos, safe travels sir!
I truly enjoyed this video…fascinating and informative
This was amazing. Thank you!!! Always have been interested in Italy and its history.
GREAT video! Just thrilled to see my first good look at the Appian Way at age 65!! You should do more of these ancient places - you do a great, personable job!
Fantastic video ! I am very glad to have seen this. You showed features that are usually only mentioned in passing when descriptions of the Roman Empire are written about. Thank you !
Nicely done. I've studied Roman history for 5 decades now and this was a nice new perspective. Thank you very much.
Thanks for the great tour!
I’ve been to Rome many times… always business trips so seldom get to explore. Thank you for making this video as you’re showing me what I was so close to yet not able to experience. I always say, Rome (or wherever I went) will always be there and I can go back! Excellent job filming this!!! I know how dangerous it can be as I always say, walking, biking or even driving in Rome is taking your life into your own hands! As a local told me once, stop signs are a suggestion! Safe travels and can’t wait to see more! Thank you for what you do!
Thanks' for sharing these amazing places full of history. Gracias!
Our pleasure!
It's beautiful and moving to cross time by following a route. Thank you for sharing.
You are amazing. Thank you. I’m headed from our beloved San Diego to Rome in January ‘24 for my birthday. I’ll be sure to wear my Padres hat just as you have as I check out this Highway.
Totally amazing adventure..Thank you so much
Most Interesting ! History of Ancient Rome as well as Great Italy are present in every nook and corner of this magnificent country !!!
This is excellent Steve. Lots of information that simply is not available to most of us. Great work. Pleasant surprise...long ways from San Diego County!
This is a candidate for my Top-ten videos of 2023. I really enjoyed it so much for its narrative quality and content. Thanks for making it for all to enjoy! (It made me Google-Search a few of the stops!)
I ran into your channel just by surfing around and glad I found your channel, Really like how you present your findings. Thank You Sir. THE SARGE
Thanks and welcome
Excellent post, good to see you traveling roads abroad, hope you enjoyed it and then at the end, felt the appreciation of returning home for more familiar roads. 🙂
outstanding presentation, thank you
It's on my bucket list, thanks for the review
Thank you for this adventure. Amazing part of Rome and Roman history that few tourist see.
Thank you for a very informative and educational video concerning this Roman highway. Very well done!😊
Great video Steve! Jaxson loved it!
We found your channel completely by accident several months ago, I think the first time was driving to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. I have to thank you for taking us places we will never be able to go. Keep up the adventures.
I should be back near the Colorado River in next week's video if all goes according to plan.
As I will never be able to see these places, I am very thankful for you sharing your experience. It is the next best thing to being there!
Excellent video, chocked full of interesting details and visuals. Certainly was surprising how few people were around during most of the video. Especially being within Rome's city limits. I really enjoy your videos. You have a pleasing ratio of commentary to silence, and what you do say is interesting. Thanks for doing such a great job.