Story perspectives

Study Maps Roman Roads, Making Constantinople Central Hub

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 5:07 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Danish archaeologist Tom Brughmans mapped the Roman road network, showing Constantinople as the central hub.
The study traced about 190,000 miles of roads linking Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Researchers estimated roughly 300,000 kilometers total, labeling it the first continental-scale land system.
Constantine’s fourth-century elevation of Constantinople to imperial capital increased its overland connectivity empire-wide.

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Story summary

Danish archaeologist Tom Brughmans mapped the Roman road network, showing Constantinople as the central hub.
The study traced about 190,000 miles of roads linking Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Researchers estimated roughly 300,000 kilometers total, labeling it the first continental-scale land system.
Constantine’s fourth-century elevation of Constantinople to imperial capital increased its overland connectivity empire-wide.