The Appian Way. So do it with a bike or a car or SKIP IT!! - Rome Italy - ECTV

Eric Clarks Travel Videos - Rome Italy - The Appian Way. So do it with a bike or a car or SKIP IT!!

From Wikipedia
The Appian Way (Latin and Italian: Via Appia) is one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic. It connected Rome to Brindisi, in southeast Italy.[1] Its importance is indicated by its common name, recorded by Statius:[2][3]
Appia longarum... regina viarum
"the Appian Way the queen of the long roads"
The road is named after Appius Claudius Caecus, the Roman censor who began and completed the first section as a military road to the south in 312 BC[4] during the Samnite Wars.
The need for roads[edit]
The Appian Way was used as a main route for military supplies since its construction for that purpose in 312 BC.[5]
The Appian Way was the first long road built specifically to transport troops outside the smaller region of greater Rome (this was essential to the Romans). The few roads outside the early city were Etruscan and went mainly to Etruria. By the late Republic, the Romans had expanded over most of Italy and were masters of road construction. Their roads began at Rome, where the master itinerarium, or list of destinations along the roads, was located, and extended to the borders of their domain — hence the expression, "All roads lead to Rome".
The Samnite Wars[edit]
Romans had an affinity for the people of Campania, who, like themselves, traced their backgrounds to the Etruscans. The Samnite Wars were instigated by the Samnites when Rome attempted to ally itself with the city of Capua in Campania. The Italic speakers in Latium had long ago been subdued and incorporated into the Roman state. They were responsible for changing Rome from a primarily Etruscan to a primarily Italic state.
Dense populations of sovereign Samnites remained in the mountains north of Capua, which is just north of the Greek city of Neapolis. Around 343 BC, Rome and Capua attempted to form an alliance, a first step toward a closer unity. The Samnites reacted with military force.
The barrier of the Pontine Marshes[edit]


Priscilla tomb


Grave monument of Caius Rabirius Postumus Hermodorus, Lucia Rabiria Demaris and Usia Prima, priestess of Isis along the Via Appia, near Quarto Miglio


San Sebastiano fuori le Mura, located on the catacombs of San Sebastiano
Between Capua and Rome lay the Pontine Marshes (Pomptinae paludes), a swamp infested with malaria. A tortuous coastal road wound between Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber and Neapolis. The Via Latina followed its ancient and scarcely more accessible path along the foothills of Monti Laziali and Monti Lepini, which are visible towering over the former marsh.
In the First Samnite War (343–341 BC) the Romans found they could not support or resupply troops in the field against the Samnites across the marsh. A revolt of the Latin League drained their resources further. They gave up the attempted alliance and settled with Samnium.
Colonization to the southeast[edit]
The Romans were only biding their time while they looked for a solution. The first answer was the colonia, a "cultivation" of settlers from Rome, who would maintain a permanent base of operations. The Second Samnite War (327–304 BC) erupted when Rome attempted to place a colony at Cales in 334 and again at Fregellae in 328 on the other side of the marshes. The Samnites, now a major power after defeating the Greeks of Tarentum, occupied Neapolis to try to ensure its loyalty. The Neapolitans appealed to Rome, which sent an army and expelled the Samnites from Neapolis.

You really need a car, a moped or a bike for this. I took the metro to the Stop that says Appian way... It was about 3 miles from the metro to the Appian Way. I then walked another 2 miles of the Appian Way in one direction along some cobble stoned road way with cars and traffic to only see 2 items that were of Roman Remains. I didnt realize until the end that the areas that have signs that say PRIVATE RESIDENCE are places you could actually go in and see Roman remains. So all in all, I would give MY EXPERIENCE at 2 out of 10. It was a long way. It was not well marked. It wasnt well transported (busses or metros or trains). The people were not really willing to help.... So all in all... I would suggest skipping the Appian Way. If you have a car or a direct tour then maybe it will be a different experience for you, but if you are just trying to walk it and wing it... I would spend the day in Rome and see something else. I asked multiple places for directions and busses and what to see... ALWAYS to be told NO ENGLISH, Good bye... Discouraging at best.... Sorry. You get the Eric Clark No Go Vote....

Don't do it
Skip it
avoid it
not worth it
waste of time
stay in rome
do something else
mistake
problem
not good
no bono
icky
bad

Eric

[joosthulsman]

4:43 Yeay! 
I'm gonna do that, bring a bike to the Appian way and make it a Happyan way. ; ) 
Thanks for the tip.

[-Luka-Brazi]

You simply did not do your homework. There are stretches of the Appian Way which are what you were looking for. There is also Sunday…where the entire road restrict cars.