Karak Resources Project

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 By the early 6th century when Roman troops were withdrawn completely, the Via Nova, like the larger limes Arabicus of which it was a part, ceased to exist as a Roman road.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.