Final answer:
The Roman's most important roads, or "viae", typically ranged between 14 and 20 feet wide, which allowed for efficient military movement, trade, and governance across the Empire, linking key cities and enabling Rome's hegemony.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Roman's most important roads, termed "viae", were an engineering marvel that facilitated communication and trade across the vast Roman Empire. According to historical records and archaeological evidence, the width of these roads typically ranged between 14 and 20 feet wide, option (a). Roman roads, constructed with concrete and stones, were designed to be durable and to serve the military needs of the Roman legions, allowing for the efficient movement of messages, money, and troops.
Beyond their practical purposes for military expeditions and governance, Roman roads played a significant role in trade, linking various cities and regions, such as Florence on the Via Cassia and Pisa on the Via Aurelia, both instrumental in establishing connections within what was known as "Roman Gaul" (present-day France and Belgium). The robustness of these roads, coupled with their strategic planning, exemplifies the Roman commitment to infrastructure as a means of unifying and controlling their empire. Indeed, the saying "all roads lead to Rome" reflects the centrality of these routes in the Roman world.