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The Decline of the Via Nova
 When and why did the Via Nova decline? Like
most main Roman roads, the Via Nova was built and maintained
by legionary soldiers. In this case, the soldiers were part of
the Legio III Cyrenaica (Third Cyrenaica legion) stationed in
Bostra. The earliest milestones frequently mention C. Claudius
Severus, who was the provincial governor also stationed in
Bostra throughout the construction of the road. Although other
legions may have been on loan during the organization of the
new province (the Sixth Ferrata from Syria for example), the
Third Cyrenaica had permanent duty in the area for over 200
years. Regular maintenance of the busy and important road
would have been a key duty for soldiers in this legion.
Milestones erected under a succession of Roman emperors and
Provincial governors demonstrate the commitment of the Roman
authorities to the upkeep of the road at least through the 4th
century. The latest group of milestones currently known date
to the time of Emperor Julian (360-363).
 As the Roman military presence in Arabia
began to decline in the 5th century, maintenance on the road
would also have waned. By the early 6th century when Roman
troops were withdrawn completely, the Via Nova, like the
larger limes Arabicus of which it was a part, ceased to exist
as a Roman road. However, the Romans built carefully and
designed roads to last. Even without maintenance, the Roman
roads often provided the easiest and best routes for travel in
an area for hundreds of years after the Romans left. Indeed,
one of the two main north/south roads in Jordan today clearly
follows the route of the Via Nova for much of its
length. Moreover, many sections of the original Roman road
still exist a short distance away from the modern road, and
other unexcavated portions can be presumed to exist under or
near the modern road. |
