f the reigns of Tiberius,
Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.

PLINY THE YOUNGER (62-113). Pliny the Younger was the adopted son of
Pliny the Elder. He was a voluminous correspondent. We have nine books
of his letters, relating to a large number of subjects, and presenting
vivid pictures of the times in which he lived. Their diction is fluent
and smooth.

CHAPTER XLIV. ROMAN ROADS.--PROVINCES.

The Romans were famous for their excellent public roads, from thirteen
to fifteen feet wide. The roadbed was formed of four distinct layers,
placed above the foundation. The upper layer was made of large polygonal
blocks of the hardest stone, fitted and joined together so as to make
an even surface. On each side of the road were footpaths strewn
with gravel. Stone blocks for the use of equestrians were at regular
distances, and also milestones telling the distance from Rome.

There were four main public roads:--

1. VIA APPIA, from Rome to Capua, Beneventum, Tarentum, and Brundisium.

2. VIA LATINA, from Rome to Aquinum and Teanum, joining the Via Appia at
Beneventum.

3. VIA FLAMINIA, the great northern road. In Umbria, near Ocriculum and
Narnia, a branch went east through Spoletium, joining the main line at
Fulsinia. It then continued through Fanum, Flaminii, and Nuceria, where
it again divided, one branch going to Fanum Fortunae on the Adriatic,
the other to Ancona, and from there along the coast to Fanum Fortunae,
where the two branches, again uniting, passed on to Ariminum through
Pisaurum. From here it was extended, under the name of VIA AEMILIA,
into the heart of Cisalpine Gaul, through Bononia, Mutina, Parma, and
Placentia, where it crossed the Po, to Mediolanum.

4. VIA AURELIA, the great coast road, reached the west coast at Alsium,
following the shore along through Etruria and Liguria, by Genua, as far
as Forum Julii, in Gaul.

PROVINCES.

After the conquest of Italy, all the additional Roman dominions were
divided into provinces. Sicily was the first Roman province. At first
Praetors were appointed to govern these provinces; but afterwards
persons who had been Praetors at Rome were appointed at the expiration
of their office, with the title of PROPRAETOR. Later, the Consuls also,
at the end of their year of office, were sent to govern provinces,
with the title of PROCONSUL. Such provinces were called _Provinciae
Consulares_. The provinces were generally distributed by lot, but their
distribution was