Projection 1
Miliaria in Roman Dacia
The Romans used the term miliarium, miliaria to designate the milestones along the roads that marked the distances between settlements. The name of the monument comes from the unit of measurement millia, which equaled 1000 steps (1478.5 m). These milestones were made of various types of stone and came in different shapes, the most common being cylindrical. They usually had a square base which was fixed into the ground.
The two miliaria on display come from Mera (Cluj County) and Micia (Vețel, Hunedoara County).
The Miliarium from Mera was erected during the reign of Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, more precisely in AD 165. The last lines of the inscription, written later, refer to a rebuilding during the reign of Emperor Caracalla (198-217 AD). The road was rebuilt by the cities of Napoca and Porolissum. The inscription apparently mentions the distance from Napoca to Mera. Thus, the number X (or XI) millia passuum would correspond to the distance from Napoca to this point. Since the Napoca – Porolissum section of the road was part of the main artery that crossed the province of Dacia from the Danube to the north, this miliarium is evidence of the Roman emperors’ constant concern for the development and maintenance of the road network in this province.
The Miliarium from Micia (Vețel, Hunedoara County) was erected in 251-253 AD, probably during a repair of the military road that followed the Mureș Valley. The distance between Apulum and Micia would correspond to the distance of 45.000 steps mentioned in the inscription, i.e. about 70 km.
The Romans paid particular importance to roads, as the security and good administration of the Roman Empire directly depended on them.
The road, most commonly called a via, was usually at least 8 feet wide, built as straight as possible, and doubled in width on curves. The Romans perfected road-making techniques to a remarkable degree. Roads were built in layers alternating different types of stone, gravel, clay and sand, and paved with gravel or stone slabs. They were equipped with curbs and gutters to drain rainwater.
A rich network of roads was built in the province of Dacia. The most important road is the one built by Trajan and completed shortly after the conquest of Dacia. The imperial road runs from Lederata (Banatska Palanka) on the left bank of the Danube to the northernmost point of the province at Porolissum. Providing access between the main towns and fortresses of the province, this artery connected all the important military and urban points for the smooth circulation of people and goods.