MARCELLVS Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 Something I always wondered about, considering the dimension of the Roman Empire, is how the 'Roman Post Office' worked, especially for the legion. During Hadrians time, for example, how long did it take to send a message from Roma to Londinium? Was there an accurate intelligence/messenger system, and if, how was it organised in those days? Was there a 'real-time' information system, e.g about an on-marching enemy, and thus a major advantage for the Legions to rely upon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamilcar Barca Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 The Romans weren't more distinguished with their information train than anybody else of their day. A message from Londinium to Rome may take 2 weeks if all went well. Messengers traveling by horseback often got lost, were intercepted or ambushed, or simply ran behind schedule on account of the increadible strain put on their animals. This obviously caused problems in times of war when armies were kept waiting for vital pieces of information only to recieve orders to say, come to relieve a besieged town, by which time they would often arrive too late. It obviously worked to some effect though otherwise the Romans would of had a hard time getting anything done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARCELLVS Posted May 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 I once heard someone say that the Romans used a kind of 'morse code' from watchtower to watchtower, though it seems not likely to me that they could have built the next watchtower always in sight of the former one. A fairy tale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbow Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Apparently the Gask Ridge watchtowers are within sight of each other, minus a few theoretically undiscovered ones. Not necessarily all used for signalling (some have anomalies in their structure which theoretically support them being signal towers), but certainly good for visually covering all ground. Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacertus Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Yes, it's perfectly shown in the movie "The Lord of The Rings", but I didn't read about these alarm fires at ancient authors. Nevertheless it seems so simply and accessibly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longbow Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 The military could use the exchange posts,these stations had fit fresh horses ready for the messanger to swap mounts.They would have to be a post every 20miles or so if the messenger was to go full gallop all the way,so these stations were probably mainly used in Italia.The sign of these ecxhange posts was a sandal. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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