Final answer:
In ancient times, commoners were allowed to travel and use roads, but with regulations and restrictions. Punishments varied based on social rank and the nature of the offense.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ancient times, commoners were allowed to travel and use roads, but there were certain restrictions and regulations in place. For example, they had to request official permission to move or change their occupation. Merchants were highly suspect and had to register with the government, and at times, they were deported from towns to serve as soldiers on the frontiers.
In terms of punishments, the severity varied depending on social rank and the nature of the crime. By law, the privileged, such as imperial relatives and high officials, received lighter sentences, while inferior people received heavier sentences for the same crime. However, the law was uniform throughout the empire.
Overall, while commoners had the freedom to travel and use roads, there were certain regulations and restrictions they had to follow, and punishments were handed out based on social rank and the nature of the offense.