
Rome built its highways primarily to allow movement of its military troops during the many wars that eventually resulted in Rome’s domination of the western world. They also provided a means for the movement of goods that facilitated the economic growth of the Empire, a necessity for its survival as the dominant power of the world. Later these same roads permitted missionaries carrying the gospel to penetrate the vast expanse of the Roman Empire with the gospel of Christ.
Luke records Paul’s travels along the Appian Way: “After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him” (Acts 28:11-16).
The Appian War is named for Appius Claudius, a censor in the Roman Republic. Censors were responsible, among other things, for the construction and maintenance of roads. Appius Claudius thus oversaw the construction of the first major highway in 312. By 244 it was extended from Rome to Brindisium in the very southern tip of Italy on the Adriatic Sea, thus providing Paul with the very means he needed to reach Rome after his shipwreck and experience on the island of Malta.

I have walked along the Appian Way, even to the site of the Three Taverns. One can see various tombs of prominent Romans, placed here outside the city walls as required by law. The circus (race rack) of Maxentius is in view as well as numerous remaining Roman monuments. Many of the original paving stones are still in place and in use today. It is truly a step back in time and another instance of following in the footsteps of the apostle Paul.
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