Cross Section Of A Roman Road

This is the continuation of a road that Newall and Lonie thought ran to Muirkirk from Loudoun Hill but was not accepted by the Ordnance Survey as Roman (see next section, road 1). From Muirkirk, it appears to continue south along the rough line of the proposed Muirkirk - Sanquhar turnpike ( 8 ) although it deviates from this in many places.

The first roads in Britain were built by the Roman legions, which had their own surveyors, engineers and the equipment they needed for this type of construction work. The availability of local materials dictated the details of road construction, but the basic principles were always the same. The road took the form of an embankment, raised above the level of the surrounding land, with drainage ditches on either side. It would be built up in a series of layers, comprising a foundation of large rocks, followed by smaller stones, gravel and sand laid down in successive layers and rammed into place.

A cobbled surface was commonplace in towns or areas of heavy use, but usually it would be gravel. The embankment was cambered for drainage, often 10m (33ft) or more wide; it was rarely less than 3m (9ft) wide to allow room for two-wheeled vehicles to pass. As elsewhere, Roman roads in Britain were built as straight as possible. The Roman surveyors had no need to worry about who owned the land along the route-way because as conquerors they could choose the most direct route. Nevertheless, they by-passed mountains, marshes and forest, where they posed particular obstacles, and they would seek out suitable crossing points at rivers.

Sub Grade in Road Structure Cross Section: 3. Base Courses in Road Structure Cross Section. It is the layer immediately under the wearing surface (Applied whether the wearing surface is bituminous or cement concrete and whether its a thick or thin bituminous layer). A copy of the license is included in the section entitled GNU Free Documentation License. File:Roman road cross-sectional diagram for typical via.

Above:Blackstone Edge, on Rishworth Moor near Manchester, is remarkably well preserved with rain gullies and close-fitting cobbles still intact. Some archaeologists believe it to be of Roman origin, whilst others are less convinced. Below: close-up detail


Although their primary purpose in the early days of the conquest was to speed the movement of troops, roads subsequently became even more important as communication routes between different parts of the empire. They enabled important information to be passed between Rome and the provincial governors of the areas under their control. In Britain, the Roman economy was agricultural, based around villa estates, which produced surplus food to provide supplies for the army and the urban populations. The roads also made possible the movement of pottery and other goods, whose production became commonplace in Britain in the third and fourth centuries AD.

Well-known Roman roads include Watling Street, which ran from London to Chester and the Fosse Way, which crossed England from Exeter in the south-west to Lincoln in the north-east. The latter followed a route in use since prehistoric times and around AD47 it marked the first boundary of the new Roman province. Roman roads later became a liability because invading barbarians could travel along them as quickly as the Roman armies. The Salisbury–Badbury road was deliberately blocked by the Bokerley Dyke during a crisis in the fourth century. The roads went into decline after the Roman departure and not until the advent of railways in the nineteenth century did Britain again enjoy such an efficient communications network.

This reconstruction (below) reveals the benefits of Roman civilisation. The central feature is the road which provides easy transport for troops and commerce. The legionary cavalry soldier, accompanied by a foot soldier, is of high status and would have a cohort of legionnaires not far behind him. In the distance you can see the classical design of a villa which represents the beginning of an architecture that was new to Iron Age Britain.

A small settlement takes advantage of the passing traffic. A woman is selling food and drink and you can see the amphora containing oil and wine – examples of imports introduced by Roman merchants. The buildings are roofed in tile and some have painted plaster. However, despite these innovations, you can also see Romano-British carrying on with their lives, emphasising that not every aspect of British life was romanised. The soldiers pay in coin – most likely small denomination bronze-copper alloy coins, received as change after paying taxes with silver or gold coins received as wages. The soldier on his knees in the foreground has lost the gold coin that represents a month’s wages – it will be this coin that will be found 1800 years later. The road is the Fosse Way – still a major route today. As in Roman times, it links up with a system with London as its hub.

Extract from “The Time Team – What Happened When”, Tim Taylor

  • Rhonda StoppeSpeaker and Author
  • 202020 Jan

A helpful resource that many Christians use to share their faith is called, The Romans Road to Salvation. This four-point path can help you explain why a person needs a Savior, but if you’re not careful it can easily be construed as a religious ritual focusing more on what a person can get from God, in exchange for the simple repetition of a prayer. Consider one warning: “I was lost on the Roman Road for years because I trusted a formula instead of trusting Jesus’ work on the cross. Anyone who’s responded to the coaxing and pressure to “go forward”, “raise your hand to get saved”, etc. needs to examine Scripture to be sure they are on the right road.” I’m not ready to throw out the Romans Road as a stepping off point when sharing the gospel, but I think it would be helpful to evaluate ways to incorporate other scriptures along with these verses from Romans to present the whole counsel of God in regards to salvation.

My husband was a youth pastor for eighteen years, and we also spoke together at youth camps, so we’ve seen our share of teens walking aisles to surrender to Christ. We’ve been blessed to see countless lives transformed by their genuine repentance. But, we’ve also observed those who “accepted Jesus” turn back to follow their own path. Whenever someone falls away it’s heartbreaking. In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul lamented over those who turned back to the world. First John 2:19 offers this insight, “They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.”

It’s the Spirit’s work that brings people to genuine salvation. When He invites us to join Him, by sowing seeds of the gospel, it’s sometimes tempting to pressure a person to raise their hand or pray a prayer to “accept Jesus” before they're ready. When this happens the heartfelt prayer at the altar may not result in a true conversion––which is heartbreaking and confusing. It helps to understand that simply reciting a prayer is not what God requires. Rather, He’s looking for a heart that is broken and contrite over sin. It is this godly sorrow, inspired by the Spirit’s work, that produces true repentance leading to salvation (see 2 Corinthians 7:9-10).

The Apostle Paul warned: “Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babbling and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (1Timothy 6:20). Because God calls us to spread the gospel of salvation we must prepare ourselves to effectively communicate what is truly the good news. (see Matthew 7:22-23).

One theologian observes:

We have domesticated evangelism. We have reduced it to the unimaginative, repetitive level of the door-to-door selling of life insurance. We should be appalled at this.'

The Romans Road to Salvation Meaning:

  1. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
  2. The wages of sin is [eternal] death (Romans 6:23).
  3. The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b).
  4. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).

Let’s break down the Bible verses and meaning of the four points of Romans Road:

1. All Have Sinned - Romans 3:23

'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' - Romans 3:23

'As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.' Romans 3:10-12

You must help people comprehend how true salvation involves being contrite over their sin. Unless a person is ready to repent and turn from their sinful ways, to walk in wholehearted obedience to Christ as their Lord and Master, they cannot be saved.

Ponder David’s contrition:

Have mercy on me O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only have I sinned and done this evil in Your sight –– …For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart–– These, O God, You will not despise. (Psalm 51:1-4, 16-17)

2. The Wages of Sin - Romans 6:23

'For the wages of sin is death' - Romans 6:23

To be truly redeemed, a person must realize their sin is an offense to our Holy God. They must understand, unless they turn to Jesus, they will be judged for their iniquities and suffer the consequence of eternal condemnation. When Jesus shared the gospel with Nicodemus He explained, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). For too long the pendulum in the church has swung far away from preaching hellfire and brimstone. I get it. We don’t want to scare people into salvation, but it’s Christ’s love that compels us to warn them that their sin must be judged. And without Christ, they stand condemned and without hope. It’s been said that Jesus warned more about the consequence of hell than the blessings of heaven. Let us learn from His example.

3. God’s Free Gift - Romans 6:23

'but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.' - Romans 6:23

'But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' - Romans 5:8

Cross Section Of Ancient Roman Roads

Be aware that many people who’ve used, or responded to, the Romans Road often miss the vital point of repentance and wholehearted devotion to Christ as their Master. Giving the impression that simply “accepting Jesus” will bring earthly blessings and heaven’s reward, at no personal sacrifice to the sinner, is a watered-down gospel that will “tickle the ears” of people who want to believe that Christianity is all about them and their happiness. Salvation is and always has been about God redeeming mankind for Himself, not the other way around.

While some believe God’s free gift costs them nothing, others mistakenly believe that practicing religious rituals is what God requires. Either extreme misses the way to receive God’s true gift of redemption. The Bible is clear that salvation comes through grace alone (Ephesians 2:4). But we can’t give people the impression that believing is all they have to do to be saved. We must follow Jesus’ example, during His earthly ministry, when people asked Him how to be saved. For example, when the rich young ruler asked Jesus how to be saved, He didn’t say, “Good, you believe. Awesome! Now go live your life and I’ll see you in heaven when you die.”

Rather, Jesus looked lovingly into the man’s heart and knew that his wealth was the sinful idol keeping him from following Christ. “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow Me. But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions (see: Mark 10:17-22). Notice, Jesus’ loving-kindness toward the man. Oh that God would grant us His heart to share the gospel with such gracious compassion. Realize, it’s not the man’s wealth that kept him from salvation. It was his refusal to turn from everything in his life that was more important to him than following and serving Christ.

Following Jesus’ example when you share Christ with one who's accomplished, wealthy or successful, don’t water down the gospel, but rather help them see how things in this life can keep them from following Christ. Jesus was not a weak teacher who glossed over His message to attract followers, and neither should we. He calls for wholehearted devotion. “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?' (Mark 8:34-36).

4. Confess Jesus Is Lord - Romans 10:9

'If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.' - Romans 10:9

'for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' Romans 10:13

You might be thinking, What’s all this talk about counting the cost and wholehearted devotion? It is a red flag if someone says, “I believe in Jesus, but I’m just doing my own thing right now.” Belief as mentioned in John 3:16-17 is describing one point and time action with a continuing life-changing result––not a mere mental assent to who Jesus is and what He accomplished on the cross. A person unwilling to obey The Lord is likely not born again. A true believer will confess with their mouth Jesus as Lord and believe that God has raised Jesus from the dead––and they will be saved.

Proclaim the Gospel

Sharing the gospel can be intimidating but by the power of the Spirit indwelling, you don’t shrink back. God wants you and I to boldly proclaim the good news. So arm yourself with the powerful gospel of peace and prayerfully ask Jesus to open doors for you to share the good news with those He is drawing to repentance and salvation.

“Preach the word; Be urgent in season and out. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Peter 3:15).

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/typhoonski

Contact Rhonda via her website to request the article How to Have a Relationship with Jesus. For more evangelism training with Rhonda Stoppe:

*Read: 10 Ways Christians Can Evangelize without Being Weird or Pushy

*Watch: Sharing the Gospel Without Regrets


Cross Section Diagram Of A Roman Road

Rhonda Stoppe is the NO REGRETS WOMAN. With more than 30 years experience of helping women build no-regrets lives. I could have listened to Rhonda talk all night, is what women say about Rhonda’s enthusiastic, humorous, transparent teaching, and zeal as an evangelist.

She’s committed to fulfilling the Titus 2:4 commission by mentoring, teaching and writing books that are inspiring, grounded in Scripture and easy to read––like you're visiting with a friend over coffee.

Rhonda is the author of 6 books and appears on numerous radio programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today and Dr. James Dobson’s FamilyTalk, & hosts The No Regrets Hour. She’s an evangelist and speaker at women’s events, College Women’s Chapel, Pastor’s Wives Conferences, MOPs and Homeschool Conventions. Sharing the gospel at her NoRegretsWoman Conference is her sweet spot. Rhonda is a regular contributor for Crosswalk and many other magazines.

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What Is Typical Cross Section Of Road

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What Is Cross Section Of Road

Rhonda ministers alongside her husband Steve, who for 20 years has pastored First Baptist Church of Patterson, California. They live out their own Real Life Romance writing books and speaking at their No Regrets Marriage Conferences, but their favorite ministry is their family. They have four grown children and 10 grandchildren. To learn more about Rhonda’s speaking topics, watch her teaching and to book Rhonda for your next event visit: NoRegretsWoman.com

Typical Cross Section Of A Roman Road

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