Via Valeria

Since the Via Valeria was named after the Roman Valerius family, it must have been constructed by one of its members. The likely candidate is Marcus Valerius Maximus, who was consul in 289 and in 286 BCE. In the preceding decade, the Romans had overcome the Etruscans and Samnites (battle of Sentinum, 295 BCE). The construction of the new road facilitated the movement of Roman troops in the area between the former enemies. In case of a new war, Rome could keep them separated.

The new road started in Tibur (modern Tivoli) in eastern Latium. It is essentially a continuation of the Via Tiburtina, the road from Rome to Tibur. The Via Valeria crossed the river Anio at a place that is still called Ponte Valerio, and passed through Vicus Variae (modern Vicovaro), Ad Lamnas and Carseoli in the land of the Aequi, and ultimately to the Fucine Lake with the cities of Alba Fucens and Marruvium.

At a later stage, probably in the mid-second century BCE, it would be continued. This Via Claudia Valeria crossed the Apennines, passed through the land of the Paeligni, Marrucini, and Vestini, and reached the Adriatic coast at the mouth of the river Aternus, modern Pescara.