The latest study by scientists aimed to map the Roman road network and modern light intensity at night. Then the map was divided into grids, and a comparison of Roman roads with the current infrastructure, population and economy was undertaken.
As the researchers point out, it is striking how many modern cities and economic centres are located on former Roman roads, which have been replaced by modern, often high-speed roads. Even after the fall of the Empire in the west, the cities along the roads survived.
The study was published in the Journal of Comparative Economics 50 under the title Roman roads to prosperity: Persistence and non-persistence of public infrastructure.
