Roman Civilization

Roman Public Works

How did Rome create, maintain and expand its infrastructure (roads, bridges, aqueducts, postal service) under the Empire.
What is our evidence for this?
Consider the following inscription, found on the right bank of the Danube, engraved around 100 CE, tell us about the activity of public works in the Empire?
- The Emperor Caesar Nerva Trajan Augustus Germanicus, son of the deified Nerva, pontifex maximus, holding the tribunician power for the fourth year, father of his country, consul three times, built this road by cutting through mountains and eliminating curves [CIL, v.III, no. 8,267].
During the Republic, the censores were charged with the adminsitration of public works (see, RCiv, v.1, #36, p. 120-122; #149. [p.413-417, esp. 417).
Additionally, individual Romans might build a temple, basilica, etc. as a gift to the city [these was true not only in Rome, but also of provincial cities]. Why would a private citizen undertake such a task?

You can find pictures of some of the great Roman public works projects, like the Cloaca Maxima, the Bridge of Tiberius in Rimini and the Pont du Gard in France.