Circulation, transports et déplacements en Europe occidentale (iie s. av. J.-C – iie s. apr. J.-C.) : données indigènes et apports romains

At the outset of the IInd c. B.C. in western Europe, traffic was hampered by a scattered control of the territory, robbery and piracy. Even before the conquest and the setting up of Roman administration, Rome’s influence made itself felt through the control of major fairly ancient trunk roads and the activity of Italian tradesmen. By quelling the last spots of insurgency Augustus opened up an exceptional period through the freedom and fairly high safety in the circulation of men and goods throughout the Mediterranean area. Furthermore, new ground installations and technical conditions enabled Rome to set up a State service in charge of the transmission of official information, later called cursus publicus, but earlier on vehicula in the first two centuries of our era.