gallo-roman relief depicting river boat transporting wine barrels, invention of gauls came widespread use during 2nd century; above, wine stored in traditional amphorae, covered in wicker the roman empire encircled mediterranean, called our sea (mare nostrum). roman sailing vessels navigated mediterranean major rivers of empire, including guadalquivir, ebro, rhône, rhine, tiber , nile. transport water preferred possible, , moving commodities land more difficult. vehicles, wheels, , ships indicate existence of great number of skilled woodworkers. land transport utilized advanced system of roman roads. in-kind taxes paid communities included provision of personnel, animals, or vehicles cursus publicus, state mail , transport service established augustus. relay stations located along roads every 7 twelve roman miles, , tended grow village or trading post. mansio (plural mansiones) privately run service station franchised imperial bureaucracy cursus publicus. support staff @ such facilit...