Why did the Romans build roads? The Romans considered a well-organized and efficient transportation system a basic element of [unity and] proper administration; i. e. an indispensable element in creating and maintaining the Roman state. The earliest highways or main roads were constructed for the use of the military, and their economic benefit for civilians was a later byproduct and not the main reason for their creation. The military nature of the roads continued to be essential as Romans expanded into territory outside Italy. In the province of Arabia … (which included what is now Jordan), the movement of troops and ease of communication for the army and Roman administration were the primary reasons for [the] construction of [these roads]. Source: Virtual Karak Resources Project, An Appalachian College Association (adapted)

What is the point of view of the author of this excerpt?

A The Romans were unable to build a successful transportation system

B Neglect of the Roman road system led to the collapse of the empire

C The Roman economy would not have prospered if it were not for the roads in the empire

D The reason Roman roads were built was primarily to keep order in the empire