All Roads Lead To Rome

Which directions should I follow, Mom’s or Dad’s?

Interesting Facts in Easy English

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • figurative: having a symbolic or metaphorical meaning; not to be taken literally
  • literal: having a straightforward meaning; exactly as it sounds
  • efficiently: quickly and easily; in the least amount of time

All Roads Lead To Rome

The figurative , All roads lead to Rome, means that all choices, methods, or actions eventually lead to the same result. In ancient Roman times, this statement had a more literal meaning. The Roman Empire had an system of roads, and all major roads led to the capital. New roads were often built after the Empire captured a new city. Stone mile markers told travellers how far they were from the next major city, and a Golden Milestone was placed in the capital. Roman roads made it possible to military units, goods, and knowledge efficiently, helping the Empire expand and achieve great power.

Comprehension Questions

  1. What does the figurative expression All roads lead to Rome mean?
  2. What was the Golden Milestone?
  3. How did ancient Roman roads help make the Roman Empire so powerful?

Discussion Questions: These days, the word milestone is also used figuratively. What does a milestone usually refer to, and what milestones have you reached in your life?

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