THE ROMAN YOUTHS

Romans were victorious because they were remarkably well trained. On the Field of Mars near the citadel, youths drilled, ran races, wrestled, boxed, and swam in the Tiber daily. This made them brave, hardy, and expert soldiers. Ancus divided the army into legions. Since Rome was on the Tiber fifteen miles from the sea, Ancus built a harbor at Ostia. The road between was built so solidly it is still used today. Romans dug deep trenches, filled them with layers of packed stones, then laid great paving blocks on top. These roads lasted centuries. Little by little they built roads in all directions—hence "All roads lead to Rome." The most famous was the Appian Way, 300 miles long, still in good condition 2000 years later.