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What was the Via Nova Traiana and why was it important?
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Trajan
Trajan, detail of a marble bust; in the British Museum.
The Via Nova Traiana (New Trajanic Road) was a major Roman road constructed during the reign of the emperor Trajan along the ancient caravan route known as the King’s Highway.1
The road was strategically important for several reasons:
- Provincial Integration: It linked Bostra—the capital of the newly annexed Roman province of Arabia—with Aelana on the Red Sea, passing through key cities such as Gerasa, Philadelphia, and Petra.21
- Communication and Control: By establishing this vital artery, the Romans significantly strengthened communications within the province and secured control over the restless Bedouin tribes located to the east.2
- Economic Facilitation: The road supported the region's prosperity by facilitating the movement of trade in incense and other commodities from the Far East, which served as a critical source of customs revenue for the Roman Empire.2