Final answer:
The Appian Way is celebrated for its role in connecting cities for trade and is one of the Roman Empire's significant engineering achievements, alongside the construction of aqueducts and road systems that facilitated transport and the supply of drinking water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Appian Way and Roman Engineering
The Appian Way is one of the greatest engineering feats of the ancient world because it connected cities for trade. This famous road, along with other Roman engineering marvels like aqueducts, roads, and the Cloaca Maxima (Great Sewer), showcased the advanced engineering skills of the Rome. The Romans were adept at constructing long-lasting highways and complex water systems that transported water across great distances, with the Appian Way specifically enabling military and economic activities by facilitating efficient trade and transport. The Roman road system, including the Appian Way, extended up to 44,000 miles by AD 200, demonstrating the Romans' ability to create extensive and durable infrastructure for both military and civilian use.
Roman aqueducts, like the Pont du Gard in the south of France, were another testament to the Roman engineering prowess, supplying cities with fresh water from distant sources. These aqueducts often featured impressive arched bridges that spanned valleys, ensuring a consistent supply of drinking water to the populace. The ingenuity of Roman engineering extended beyond just practicality; it was instrumental in the development of larger societal structures and continues to be studied and admired for its sophistication.