The
development of an overarching vision that applied to all cities was important within the Roman
Empire. Although Rome had long existed, the urban designers reworked key features as the
population grew; both the physical infrastructure and the empires social organization encouraged
migration to the city. In turn, the allocation of resources, including labor, to construction
facilitated an efficient construction process. The re-development of the capital co-existed with
the imposition of a singular vision on other imperial centers. A grid pattern, an extensive road
network, and the provision of potable water were all crucial features.
Both
for the ready mobility of troops and for provisioning the armies, a well-developed and
well-maintained road network was crucial. Military successes also included the enslavement of
the vanquished populations, which increased the labor force to be deployed to construction
projects. Along with the roads, the construction of aqueducts to move fresh water between places
was an important feature. In addition to the pipes and tunnels, massive bridges to support them
were also built.
The conquest mentality and emphasis on military prowess were
also emphasized in the growth of Rome as a city. Major thoroughfares and central plazas (fora)
featured statues of military heroes. Formerly exotic products from the newly conquered
territories were increasingly made available in the capital, where markets and public events
encouraged people to utilize the urban space rather than remain confined in their homes. The
construction of large venues, such as the Coliseum, and the spectacles held there further
brought people into the public sphere and fostered their sense of belonging to Rome. Managing
the peoples behavior in those spaces further required the elaboration of appropriate legal and
administrative measures.
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