La «vehiculatio» (o «cursus publicus») y las «militares viae». El control político y administrativo del Imperio por Augusto

Abstract

The post system of the Roman State, initially called vehiculatio, and later cursus publicus, was most probably created by Augustus between 27 and 20 BC. This service, operated through couriers who drove vehicles, served both for the transmission of news and messages between local authorities and the central State, and as a means for the emperor to obtain information and supervise the whole Empire. In spite of frequent misuse of this system and the burden it placed on municipalities, its ef?ciency was guaranteed by the proper maintenance of certain good roads —the viae militares— used by couriers and high of?cials to travel between Rome and other provinces.