This book investigates the evolution of road infrastructure in Pompeii from the Archaic Age through the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE to determine how street systems influenced Roman urbanism. Eric E. Poehler, a scholar specializing in Roman urban development, utilizes archaeological evidence and physical street analysis to challenge existing myths regarding ancient traffic. By examining the material remains of street surfaces and the architectural layout of the city, the author constructs a framework for understanding how Roman authorities managed urban movement and vehicle access.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of Roman urban planning and daily infrastructure management. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the rigorous reliance on physical archaeological evidence to support the author's conclusions.