原文开头
A massive digitization project has nearly doubled the known extent of the first continent-scale road network The Via Appia, constructed starting in 312 B.C.E., is the oldest and best-known road of the Roman Empire. ON A RECENT VISIT to Rome I walked along the Via Appia (also called the Appian Way), past the presumed house of Stoic philosopher Seneca, and felt transported in time. Constructed starting in 312 B.C.E. to carry troops southeast toward Capua and, eventually, the port city of Brindisi in the heel of Italy’s boot, the Via Appia is the oldest and best-known road of the Roman Empire. …
摘自《科学美国人》(Scientific American)第334卷 第6期 · 2026年6月刊,Tom Brughmans。仅引用开头一小段供了解文章,版权归原刊所有,全文请阅读原刊。