For over three centuries (from 43 AD to 410 AD), London was a protectorate of Rome. In fact, London became the capital of the Roman province of Britannia in 100 AD. As the Empire was wont to do, Rome invested untold sums to build the new city.
Since transportation was the defining feature of any modern city at the time, the Romans built a vast network of roads that connected London with every other town, city, and port in the province. There were two obvious explanations for this. First, it guaranteed that the city would become a centre of trade. And second, it allowed the Romans to move troops and supplies wherever needed.
After all was said and done, the Romans built over two thousand miles of roads leading to and from London. These were modern, paved thoroughfares that could support heavy wagons and which lead to the creation of countless cities and towns. click here to find out more about Roman roads.
It has been argued by British historians that the Roman roads are the number one reason why London is now a bustling metropolis. But could the seventh largest city on earth owe its success to something that was created between 17 and 19 centuries ago?
Well, consider this: the Roman roads were paved between the 2nd and the 4th century. The British government did not deem it necessary to undertake new road projects until the 18th century!
