Miliarium

[3] The first known miliaria appeared on the Appian Way during the final period of the Roman Republic, but the vast majority of that still exist were made during the High Empire and, to a lesser extent, in the 3rd and 4th centuries.

[4] Most of the milestones carried directly engraved inscriptions, depending on the importance of the road or the proximity or distance from Rome, or the cities of origin and destination.

The inscription always consisted of a series of well-defined parts:[5] In the 4th century, the milestones lost their usefulness as mileposts, becoming an element of political propaganda for the emperors.

With the barbarian invasions and the Fall of the Western Roman Empire, they ceased to be carved when the maintenance of the roads disappeared.

[citation needed] In the Eastern Roman Empire, the roads continued to be maintained until the 6th century, although the miliaria became increasingly rare until they were no longer erected.