Roman roads in Morocco

In 42 AD the western part of the kingdom of Mauretania was reorganized as a province of Rome Mauretania Tingitana. During the reign of emperor Claudius (41–54) infrastructure was improved.

A road leading in the southern direction from Tingis split in two at Ad Mercuri (possibly modern Bled Mers[1]).

One of the two followed the Atlantic coast through Iulia Constantia Zilil (Asilah), Lixus (Larache) and Sala Colonia (near Rabat).

The other, more to the east, ended in Tocolosida, near Volubilis and modern Fez.

There is the possibility that a Roman road was built toward south, from Sala Colonia to Anfa (or Anfus), in the area of modern Casablanca, where there was a small port used by the Phoenicians and later the Romans since 15 BC.[2] This port was used for Roman expeditions toward the Canary islands.

There was another important road that connected Tingis with Numidia (modern western Algeria). It ran from Tamuda to Numerus Syrorum.[3]

Main Roman roads in western north Africa

Roman road in Volubilis

In ancient Morocco significant roads existed within some of the Roman settlements themselves.

For example, wide roads paved with large hewn stones are found in the cities of Volubilis and Sala Colonia.

• M. Euzennat. 1962. "Les voies romaines du Maroc dans l' Itineraire d' Antonin," Hommages à Albert Grenier (Brussels) vol. II, 595-610.

Roman roads in Morocco in the Peutinger table

• Diplomatie France (updated map) Les voies antiques du Maroc d’après l’Itinéraire Antonin (retrieved November 17, 2012)
• Mauretania Tingitana (in Spanish)

• Antonine itinerary
• Roman roads in Africa
• Roman expeditions to Sub-Saharan Africa