Roads and communication networks

Roads and communication networks refers to the recurring pattern in which empires built routes, relay stations and postal systems to move armies, officials, information and goods across large territories. Such networks allowed central governments to collect taxes, respond to revolts and integrate distant provinces. Examples include the Royal Road of the Achaemenid Empire, the military roads of the Assyrian Empire, the roads of the Maurya Empire and the yam relay system of the Mongol Empire.