From Ancient Rome to Modern America
How war carts and chariots influenced the construction of American railroads
My dear friend living in the future,
Today, I'm back in one of my favorite historical cities: Ancient Rome. It's 254 BC, and I'm sitting in one of the cities, Tabernae, a popular meeting place similar to a London pub. Unfortunately, I can't order a coffee since it hasn't been discovered yet, though I'm enjoying a fantastic wine. Today, I want to show you how ancient civilizations influence our daily life in the year 2024 because, as I'm enjoying my drink, I'm overlooking the activities in a workshop on the other side of the street. A young man is just assembling a war cart, a machine that will profoundly impact the railroad system of America.
You see, the US standard railroad gauge has a width of 4 feet and 8.5 inches, a particular and odd number.
English expats, who had experience making the railroads of England, used this width because that's what they worked with before.
In England, the same people who made the older tramways constructed the first railroad tracks and used the same measurements.
Why did the tramway use this particular width? Because they used the same tools, they already had to build wagons, which used that wheel spacing because any other width would've made them unusable on England's old rutted long-distance roads. (Ruts are tracks for the wheels on the roads).
And who built the first roads through Europe? The Romans. Who optimized them for their legions and the war carts they used.
And the effect is still going on. Did you know that the space shuttle engineers had to factor in the dimensions of the parts they transported on railroad tracks? If the tracks had been wider, they could have used larger fuel tanks, but because they manufactured the parts at different places in the US, they had to factor logistics into their engineering.
So the guy I'm watching right now, who's currently putting the finishing touches on this war cart made from wood and steel, will impact the age of space exploration. Isn't that fascinating?
Well, at least it seems, because while this chain of causations seems very believable, it's not entirely agreed upon, and there are a lot of different factors besides the ones mentioned that played into the construction of the American railroad system.
Though nobody can deny the fascinating butterfly effect little details from history have on our life today. The world, as we see it today, is the result of a million different decisions and stories that unfolded during the past centuries. I'm eager to witness as many of these stories as possible.
As for now, I'll enjoy my second glass of wine and wonder about the other influences ancient Rome might have had on your life. While you go around your day, you pay attention to everything around you and wonder, what event in history made them the way they are today. Why do we drive on the right side of the road, for example, and stop when the traffic light is red?
Until next time, where and whenever that might be,
🧳
Albert
Your time-traveling uncle
Quick facts
War Carts
Multi-Purpose Use: Roman war carts were versatile, used for transporting soldiers, supplies, and sometimes as platforms for archers or catapults.
Variety in Design: There was no standard design; each cart was tailored for specific military needs, ranging from light, fast carts to heavier, more fortified ones.
Robust Construction: Built for durability, these carts were made from sturdy materials like wood and iron to withstand the rigors of war.
Influence on Road Development: The width of the carts influenced the construction of Roman roads, with ruts often matching the wheelbase of the carts.
Horse-Drawn: Most war carts were pulled by horses, chosen for speed and maneuverability.
Limited Use in Battle: Unlike chariots, war carts were not commonly used directly in battle but rather for support roles, like transporting troops and equipment.
Strategic Mobility: They played a crucial role in the strategic mobility of the Roman army, allowing for the rapid movement of troops and supplies across the vast Roman Empire.
A war cart is a sturdy, utilitarian vehicle used primarily for transporting soldiers and supplies, while a chariot is a lighter, faster vehicle designed for rapid movement and often used directly in combat or racing.