Shedding New Lights on"VIA NOVA TRAIANA"

This paper is a study of the Via Nova Traiana; which is the most important Roman road in Jordan. Built during the reign  of Emperor Trajan (ca.111-114 AD), this road was refurbished and maintained through the late fourth century. The paper discusses the origin of the road and whether it was a Trajanian initial project or it followed the paths of ancient roads dating specifically to the Iron Age, namely the King’s Road , and/or the Nabataean caravan roads. Also, the paper outlines the construction of the road, its stations, and branches. The main purposes of the road are also reconsidered here; whether it had a military, trade,  and/or administrative functions. The possibility that the road was part of the Roman administrative postal services (Cursus Publicus) is also suggested here.