Appian Way Quiz: Rome's Queen of Roads and Catacombs

This Appian Way quiz walks the ancient paving stones leading south from Rome. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on Appius Claudius Caecus and 312 BC, the nickname queen of roads, its route to Capua and Brindisi, basalt paving and milestones, Spartacus's followers in 71 BC, the catacombs of St Callixtus, the tomb of Caecilia Metella and its 2024 UNESCO listing.

Start Appian Way Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Start
When was the Appian Way begun?
Builder
Who began the road?
Nickname
What did Romans call it?
Route
Which port did the road eventually reach?
Paving
What stone was used for its large paving blocks?
Markers
What marked distances along the road?
Spartacus
What happened along the road in 71 BC?
Catacombs
Which underground burial site lies beside it?
Tomb
Whose large round tomb stands on the road?
UNESCO
When was the Appian Way listed by UNESCO?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: When was the Appian Way begun?
Answer: 312 BC
It is one of Rome's oldest roads.
Q2: Who began the road?
Answer: Appius Claudius Caecus
It is named after him.
Q3: What did Romans call it?
Answer: Queen of roads
In Latin, regina viarum.
Q4: Which port did the road eventually reach?
Answer: Brindisi
Ships sailed east from there.
Q5: What stone was used for its large paving blocks?
Answer: Basalt
They fit tightly together.
Q6: What marked distances along the road?
Answer: Milestones
Each Roman mile was counted.
Q7: What happened along the road in 71 BC?
Answer: Thousands of Spartacus's followers were crucified
It was a brutal warning.
Q8: Which underground burial site lies beside it?
Answer: Catacombs of St Callixtus
Early Christians were buried there.
Q9: Whose large round tomb stands on the road?
Answer: Caecilia Metella
It was later turned into a fortress.
Q10: When was the Appian Way listed by UNESCO?
Answer: 2024
It became Italy's 60th site.

Paving Stones, Tombs and the Queen of Roads

The Appian Way was begun in 312 BC by the Roman official Appius Claudius Caecus, after whom it is named. It first linked Rome with Capua and was later extended to the port of Brindisi, carrying armies and traders south. Romans called it regina viarum, the queen of roads.

Builders laid large, tightly fitted basalt blocks on deep foundations, and milestones counted each Roman mile. Because burials were banned inside the city, tombs lined the road outside Rome, including the great round tomb of Caecilia Metella. In 71 BC thousands of Spartacus's followers were crucified along it as a warning.

Early Christians dug catacombs beside the road, such as those of St Callixtus and St Sebastian. Today the Appia Antica park lets visitors walk or cycle on ancient stones beneath umbrella pines. In 2024 the Appian Way was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

What This Quiz Teaches

History fans will enjoy these questions.

Who built the road
Where it led
How it was built
What lines its route
How it is protected today

Did You Know?

Sundays bring car-free stretches for walkers and cyclists.
Some original paving still bears cart ruts.
The road ran straight for long distances.
Aqueduct ruins can be seen nearby.
The Domine Quo Vadis church stands on the road.