Is it true that all roads lead to Rome?

This is undoubtedly one of Italian culture’s most famous and iconic proverbs. Everyone knows it, and it is one of those sayings that tourists learn quickly. But have you ever wondered what its origins are and why all roads lead to Rome continue to have such a strong influence on Italian culture today?

The historical context

Let’s take a step back in time, to Ancient Rome. Imagine the city’s paved streets, crossed by merchants, soldiers returning from the campaigns, nobles in their carriages, and common citizens. The sound of wheels on cobblestones, the voices of street vendors, and the constant bustle of everyday life.

Rome’s streets were alive. Omnes viae Romam ducunt – all roads lead to Rome: this was the thought that spread through the hum of the markets and the rhythmic steps of the legionaries.

Imagine the powerful aura of this maxim. At the time, no one could have imagined that it would survive through the centuries, but thanks to the efficiency of the Roman road system, the most advanced of its time, this expression became a reality. Roman roads radiated from the capital, connecting all the provinces of the conquered territories, making Rome the true epicenter of the known world.

The first 8 state highways in Italy were built by the Romans, or rather, they are still there under layers of cement and materials:

SS 1 – Via Aurelia, which runs along the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian coasts, up to the French border;
SS 2 – Via Cassia, toward inland Tuscany;
SS 3 – Via Flaminia, toward the Adriatic, passing through Umbria, Marche, and Romagna;
SS 4 – Via Salaria, toward the Adriatic, passing through Sabina and southern Marche;
SS 5 – Via Tiburtina Valeria, toward the Adriatic, passing through Abruzzo;
SS 6 – Via Casilina, toward southern Lazio;
SS 7 – Via Appia, toward the Adriatic, passing through inland Campania, Basilicata, and Apulia;
SS 8 – Via del Mare, to the Lido of Ostia, without leaving the municipality.

If you want to learn more about Roman roads, check out the links below.

all roads lead to Rome — At its peak, the Roman Empire extended over most of present-day Europe, reaching much of North Africa and Western Asia.

The different meanings

With a bit of creative interpretation, some scholars have tried to explain why this famous maxim remains so relevant today. Why do we find ourselves quoting it so often in various contexts? Tutte ‘e strade pòrteno a Roma, as the Romans say.

The literal meaning

On the surface, the proverb simply means that no matter where you find yourself outside the walls of the Empire, any road you take will lead you back to Rome. This is, of course, the meaning that has been passed down, but it is actually more precise and relevant than one might think.

It’s no coincidence that almost all roads in Europe do indeed lead to Rome. A German study sought to test the validity of the phrase by taking 400,000 starting points located throughout Europe and confirmed that the resulting path from each did lead to the Eternal City.

Now that Europe’s connection to Rome is confirmed, what does the city have to do with the rest of the world?

The capital of Italy has won admirers across the globe, so much so that, in the United States alone, there are several cities named “Rome.” Here is a list of the states:

Rome, Georgia
Rome, Illinois
Rome, Indiana
Rome City, Indiana
Rome, Iowa
Rome, Kentucky
Rome, Maine
Rome, New York
Rome, Ohio (Adams County)
Rome, Ohio (Morrow County)
New Rome, Ohio
Rome, Oregon
Rome, Pennsylvania
Rome, Tennessee
Rhome, Texas
Roma, Texas
Rome, Wisconsin (Adams County, town)
Rome, Wisconsin (Adams County, community)
Rome, Wisconsin (Jefferson County)

The psychological meaning

For some, it may seem like a stretch; for others, it’s a fascinating reflection. All roads lead to Rome perhaps hides a deeper meaning. No matter where we are, what experiences have shaped us, or what our state of mind is: sooner or later, we always return to the place that makes us feel good, the one we call “home“. In this sense, the phrase becomes much more than just a saying; it represents an inner journey, a return to what gives us comfort, where each of us can find ourselves.